Only 22,2% of the days of the year are breathing fresh air
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, through the results of monitoring and supervision of air quality in large cities and key economic regions for many years, it shows that the level of pollution tends to increase (especially peak at the end of 2024, corresponding to the time before COVID-19, 2019). The most worrying pollution problem is dust and PM2.5 fine dust.
In large cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, in the last months of the year (after October onwards), the number of days when PM2.5 dust concentration exceeds national technical standards (QCVN 05:2023/BTNMT) is still very common, accounting for about 35% of the total number of days in the "polluting period" (in Hanoi, there are up to 47 days of air quality at the "bad - AQI ≥151" level).
The number of days with good air quality only accounts for about 22% of the total number of days in the year.
In addition, according to statistics, from October to December 2024, Hanoi has experienced 4 prolonged air pollution periods. In particular, there are days when the VN_AQI index reaches 246, corresponding to a "very bad" level, with many risks affecting people's health and the community.
Many old vehicles do not meet emission standards for circulation in the city
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, a synthesis of many sources of information shows: The basic causes of transportation activities include road dust being carried up by vehicles participating in traffic and emissions from a large number of motor vehicles participating in traffic using fossil fuels, including many old vehicles that do not meet emission standards and have a life span in the city.
According to the PM2.5 emission inventory in the Hanoi area, emissions from road transport vehicles account for about 15% and from road dust account for about 23%.
The next reason comes from construction activities including the construction of houses for people, public works, traffic works (renovation of road surfaces, sidewalks) but not seriously implementing technical and management solutions according to regulations (encearance, fog spraying, car washing, hygiene, etc.), causing dust production, this part contributes about 17%.
In addition, some causes from industrial production activities; Open burning activities; From people's activities, use of coal stoves in daily life, business, burning votive paper; Factors such as terrain conditions, climate, weather; Development rate... also cause air pollution.
Control emissions of polluting vehicles
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Hoang Van Thuc - Director of the Department of Environment (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) said that in the process of transitioning to socio-economic development, a reality is clearly occurring: the population is increasingly concentrated in large cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
As the population increases rapidly, the amount of solid waste generated daily also increases. At the same time, the demand for electricity, water, fuel and other energy has also increased.
According to Mr. Thuc, traffic is also a notable issue. The number of personal vehicles, especially motorbikes - a planning tool for many people, is increasing, causing great pressure on the infrastructure system for socio-economic development. It is necessary to increase investment in construction to control technical infrastructure and environmental systems in urban areas. Not only to serve people's lives, but also to respond to the negative impacts caused by the rapid urbanization process.
Discussing the issue of controlling emissions from cars and motorbikes, the Director of the Department of Environment said that currently, emission regulations for cars have been issued. For motorbikes, it is expected to issue emission standards this July. At the same time, the Prime Minister will also stipulate a roadmap for applying emission standards to cars and motorbikes in circulation.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is synthesizing and completing comments to submit to the Prime Minister as soon as possible, expected in July.
