Air pollution has reached alarming levels in some areas of Hanoi (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Air pollution in the capital city of Hanoi, whichhas been bad since March 7, is so severe now that health experts have warnedpeople to stay indoors.
The Air Quality Index at various air monitoring stations across Hanoi showeddangerously high levels on March 13 night. For instance, it was at 214 at Nhonstreet in Bac Tu Liem district, which is very high. Earlier, on March 7, theindex touched 294 here, while it was at 263 on Pham Van Dong street.
An index of above 300 will have adverse effect on people, according to the USEnvironment Protection Agency.
Hanoi People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung admitted that the city’s airquality was at “red alert level”.
At a recent meeting with concerned agencies, Chung said that the high level ofair pollution was the result of the large number of cars and motorcycles in thecity that have crossed their expiry dates.
“Hanoi has nearly six million motorcycles, of which 2.5 million passed theirexpiry date and should be banned on roads. These vehicles are seriouslypolluting the environment,” he told Zing online newspaper.
Chung also blamed the worsening of the air quality on road constructions andindustries.
Drastic measures will be adopted to curb the problem and improve air quality,he said. The city will ask project investors to spend on waste treatmentsystems and use eco-friendly technologies.
In the future, Hanoi will add 80 observation posts for recording air pollution.-VNA
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Air pollution has reached alarming levels in some areas of Hanoi (Photo: VNA) 
