Air quality in Hanoi during the week ended December 21 at many automatic monitoring stations tended to improve thanks to weather conditions, but remained bad on some days of the week, according to the Agency of Environmental Protection (EAP).

Air quality index (AQI) at the monitoring stations. Source: AEP

The agency said that Hanoi’s air quality index (AQI) measured at 10 monitoring stations in the city in the week ranged from 69 to 179.

At monitoring stations such as Trung Yen 3, Kim Lien, Tan Mai, My Dinh and Tay Mo, in the past week, the AQI was better than the previous week. Specifically, the index at none of the stations reached the unhealthy level. The index was at the bad level in 2/7 days at Tan Mai and Kim Lien stations, while was recorded at the average level in the remaining days. The AQI at all nine stations was at the average level (yellow) in 1/7 days.

At two traffic monitoring points in Minh Khai and Pham Van Dong wards, which usually see heavy traffic, in the week, the AQI at both stations also had some improvement, with 1/7 days at the average level. The highest readings at Minh Khai and Pham Van Dong stations were 177 and 176, respectively.

Percentage of days with air quality at different levels. Source: AEP

For monitoring stations such as Hoan Kiem, Hang Dau and Thanh Cong, air quality during the week all worsens to the bad level, the AQI at Hang Dau station was even very bad, with the highest reading hitting 179.

It can be seen that air quality and weather conditions during the week are closely correlated. It was mostly dry, less windy, the large difference in day and night temperatures was detrimental to the diffusion of pollutants in the air, leading to the AQI hitting the bad level which adversely affects local residents’ health.

The EAP recommended that Hanoi’s residents should act in accordance with air quality information where they are living and working before going out to prevent diseases.

Besides, sensitive groups including children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases should limit their time outdoors.

In case of going out, people should use PM2.5 dust-proof face masks which meet the standard and should travel by car or bus. In particular, pupils should not participate in outdoor activities.

When travelling on roads, people need to strictly follow traffic laws to reduce traffic congestion.

People should reduce activities that cause air pollution such as burning waste, cooking by charcoal stoves, transporting construction waste without shielding.

Information on the capital city’s air quality is continuously updated at the website: https://moitruongthudo.vn/ and https://airhanoi.hanoi.gov.vn/.