Hanoi Struggles with Severe Pollution as Vietnam's Capital Ranks Highest on Most Polluted Cities List"

Hanoi, the capital city, has once again topped the charts as the world's most polluted city, according to air monitoring website IQAir. On a recent Tuesday afternoon, levels of PM2.5 pollutants reached alarming levels, classified as "very unhealthy" and exceeding the World Health Organization's annual guideline by more than 24 times.

This is not a new phenomenon for Hanoi, which has consistently ranked among the world's most polluted cities in recent years. Contributing factors include extensive construction activities and emissions from the multitude of motorbikes and cars navigating the city streets daily. Additionally, carbon emissions from nearby coal plants and agricultural burning exacerbate the problem.

For residents like Nguyen Minh Huong, an office worker, the deteriorating air quality has become a daily concern. "I've had to wear a mask whenever I step outside lately because the air quality has been so poor," Huong shared. "It's difficult to breathe, and I find myself sneezing constantly, prompting me to limit my time outdoors," she added.

The situation was further compounded last month when high humidity resulted in thick fog enveloping the city, leading to a sharp increase in air pollution levels and significantly reduced visibility. Weather forecasters continue to issue warnings about thick haze, particularly in the northeastern mountainous regions of Vietnam.

According to the latest World Bank report on air pollution, a staggering 40 percent of Hanoi's population is exposed to concentrations nearly five times higher than the WHO guidelines. The WHO warns that prolonged exposure to air pollution can lead to serious health conditions such as strokes, heart disease, and lung cancer.

The persistent air pollution issue in Hanoi underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the sources of pollution and safeguard public health in the city.

Source: france24 - Hanoi chokes as Vietnam capital tops most polluted cities list