Hanoi (VNS/VNA) – The capital of Hanoi was named as the most polluted city in theworld on September 26, with the southern largest economic hub of Ho Chi MinhCity not far behind.

Figures released by theair quality monitor app AirVisual put Hanoi at the top of thelist followed by Jakarta in Indonesia and HCMCity, respectively taking the second and third places. 

On September 26, Hanoi’sair quality index topped the 200 mark, which is considered hazardous.

Although the airconditions slightly improved, Hanoi’s recorded air quality is still amongthe worst places in the world.  

The monitor constantlyupdates and changes depending on the Air Quality Index. Change of seasons alsoreduces air quality.

According to the airmonitoring system of Hanoi’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment,the city’s air quality has remained at “unhealthy” levels in recent days,mostly due to dust pollution.

Bad weather in the capitaland fog made it difficult for the dust to be diluted or blown away.

At the same time, lowwind speeds reduce air convection and trapping dust near the surface allcontributed to the declining quality of the air in Hanoi.

The rapid urbanisationin Hanoi was the major cause besides the rising number of vehicles and trafficcongestion, said Mai Trong Thai, head of Hanoi Environment ProtectionDepartment.

According to Thai,AirVisual uses data provided by US Embassy’s monitoring station located nearthe Lang Ha-De La Thanh intersection where there are many passing vehiclesand construction sites, which mean that the measurement is not indicativeof the entire city.

Air quality at differentareas around the city can be checked at  byHanoi Air Quality Monitoring Network,  by PAM Air Map of air qualityand  FAirNetMap of air quality./.