Hanoi (VNA) - Hanoi plans to stop the useof beehive-shaped coal bricks by 2020 as part of measures to improve airquality and living conditions, according to the municipal Department of NaturalResources and Environment.

The move was made following a recent survey bythe department’s environmental office which revealed that Hanoi has about55,000 beehive coal stoves, which burn a total of more than 528 tonnes of coaleach day, filling the air with carbon dioxide.

The survey, carried out on 23 out of 30districts and suburban districts of Hanoi last year, showed that about 63percent of coal burners were used in urban districts, mostly by smallrestaurants and food shops along pavements.

Le Thanh Thuy, a representative from thedepartment, said the use of the coal stoves was one of the key sources ofenvironmental pollution. Other sources included a huge amount of fumes fromvehicles, construction sites and the burning of rubbish.

Many people know the environmental harm of usingan earthenware stove with coal, but it remains a habit for manyVietnamese. Many families in both rural and urban areas use them to overcomethe rising costs of gas and electricity.

Nguyen Thi Hanh from Bach Khoa ward, Hai BaTrung district, said she still used a stove with coal to cook, although she hada gas cooker.

“I prefer using coal stove as it is cheaper,particularly when you have to braise food like meat and fish. Besides, I havebeen using it for a long time and find it hard to get rid of it,” she said.

However, Le Hoai Thu, a mother of two, in HoangMai district, said she felt uncomfortable to see some of her neighbours stillusing the cookers.

“I can’t stand their smell. Inhaling carbondioxide released from coal burners is harmful to your health, especiallychildren. I have to close all the windows and doors of my house whenever myneighbours burn the coal,” she said.

According to experts, the use of beehive coalposes serious threats to health. They normally produce carbon dioxide, but inunventilated rooms, they start to produced deadly carbon monoxide, which is akiller. 

Once inhaled, carbon monoxide molecules bind tothe oxygen-carrying sites in red blood cells, cutting off the supply of oxygento the body, especially the brain. Gradually, those exposed to the substancelose consciousness and face permanent brain damage from oxygen deprivation, ifnot death.

Statistics of the Poisoning Prevention Centreunder the Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital show that dozens of patients needtreatment for coal air poisoning per year, and many people die.

As part of the plan to end the use of thestoves, the environment office has chosen Ba Dinh and Hoan Kiem districts topilot a campaign to raise public awareness while introducing new kinds ofstoves using clean fuel.

The department recently singed an agreement withthe SNV, a Netherlands Development Organisation, on a programme to pilot theuse of environmentally friendly stoves in the capital city.

Mai Trong Thai, head of the Hanoi EnvironmentalProtection Department, told the Kinh te và Do thi (Economic and UrbanAffairs) newspaper that the city targeted to reduce 70 percent of beehivestoves this year and totally stop their use by 2020.

Under the pilot programme, citizens in Ba Dinhand Hoan Kiem districts can borrow stoves that use clean fuels to use for onemonth. From February to April this year, people will enjoy a discount of 30-40percent to buy them.

The SNV organisation claims that the stoves havebeen "strictly tested" for exhaust levels, safety and fuelefficiency. Fuels for the stoves are said to meet international standards.-VNA