Several inner-city districts in Hanoi experienced poor air quality on Thursday morning, posing a threat to public health, according to data released on a website run by the Center for Environment Monitoring under the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Polluted air clouded Pham Van Dong Street in Bac Tu Liem District, the headquarters of the People’s Committee of Cau Dien Ward in Nam Tu Liem District, Thanh Cong Lake Park in Ba Dinh District, and several areas in Hoan Kiem District at 6:00 am on Thursday.

Residents with health issues were advised to avoid outdoor activity. 

The Center for Environment Monitoring also advised residents who choose to go outdoors to wear face masks and limit their time outside.  

According to Dr. Hoang Duong Tung, chairman of the Vietnam Clean Air Partnership, there are several reasons for the poor air quality at this time of the year, including poor control over gas emissions from production operations at factories and in craft villages, worsened by vehicle emissions and garbage burning.

Tung also ascribed the poor air quality to low wind and high smog levels which have led to a surge in fine particulate matter. 

Prof. Dr. Vu Van Giap, deputy head of the Respiratory Center at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, said that individuals with respiratory illness are most likely to be affected by the low air quality.

Giap explained that bad air quality causes shortness of breath and coughing, and people with respiratory diseases should refrain from going outdoors unless absolutely necessary. 

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