Hanoi air quality ‘very unhealthy’ on Tuesday

Weather apps ranked Hanoi’s air quality as « very unhealthy » or « unhealthy » on Tuesday morning with high levels of PM2.5 recorded.

U.S. weather forecast service AccuWeather recorded the air quality index (AQI) in Hanoi on Tuesday at 197, ranking it « very unhealthy. » The higher index means worse air quality. The service recorded a PM2.5 level of 147µg/m3 in Hanoi on Tuesday.

It said that health effects will be « immediately felt by sensitive groups » while healthy individuals are likely to experience difficulty breathing and throat irritation, and recommended people to consider staying indoors and rescheduling outdoor activities.

Switzerland-based air quality monitoring facility IQAir AirVisual ranked Hanoi’s AQI on Tuesday at 158, meaning the air quality is « unhealthy. »

The PM2.5 level is recorded to be at 69 µg/m3, which is 13.8 times that of WHO air quality standards, according to AirVisual.

In HCMC the air quality on Tuesday was ranked as « fair » by AccuWeather, with the AQI at 29. The level of PM2.5 in the air was recorded at 10 µg/m3, also ranked as « fair. »

AirVisual recorded the AQI in HCMC on Tuesday at 93, which means a « moderate » air quality, and PM2.5 level of 32 µg/m3. It said sensitive groups should reduce outdoor exercise.

PM2.5 is defined as ambient airborne particulate that measures up to 2.5 microns in size, just a fraction of the width of a human hair. Their microscopic size allows these particles to be absorbed deep into the bloodstream upon inhalation, potentially causing health issues such as asthma, lung cancer, and heart disease.

Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to negative health effects like cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and premature mortality.

By Minh Nga – VnExpress.net – February 20, 2023