The environment monitor app AirVisual showed that Hanoi ranked the second among cities with the most severe air pollution at around 8 this morning.
According to the website of the Hanoi Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the Air Quality Index (AQI) at most of the city’s air monitoring stations surpassed 200.
At 7:30 this morning, the figure was measured at up to 260 at the station located at the French Embassy onTran Hung Dao Street. It was followed by 259 at Minh Khai-Bac Tu Liem station, 248 at the station on Trung Yen Street. The only station showing the index of below 200 is on Kim Lien Street.
As of midday the situation had not improved as local streets were blanketed by smog.
The AQI at the air monitoring stations at Tay Ho and To Ngoc Van demonstrated the highest figure. It was impossible to see high-rise buildings on the opposite bank of the West Lake.
An AQI of below 100 is safe for people’s health.
Local residents use masks to protect them from the air pollution, including specialist ones.
Nhat Tan Bridge in smog
Dr. Hoang Duong Tung, Chairman of the Vietnam Clean Air Network, the air pollution in Hanoi has much worsened since December 8.
"Hanoi has faced prolonged air pollution so far this year, not in spells as in previous years. The city needs to take urgent action,” Tung added.
