Hanoi (VNA) – Experts have suggestedpassing a new law to help improve air quality in Hanoi.
A workshop in the capital on August 27 discussed airenvironment protection due to the worsening pollution in the city.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Bui Thi An, Vice Chairwoman ofthe Hanoi Union of Science and Technology Associations, said due to rapidurbanisation, unplanned population expansion and infrastructure developmentunable to meet demand, air pollution in Hanoi, especially in inner areas, hasreached alarming levels, affecting not only people’s health but also activitiesin the city.
Comparing air quality in Hanoi and Seoul (theRepublic of Korea), Assoc. Prof. Dr Nguyen Duc Luong from the University ofCivil Engineering said the average level of PM10 (particles less than 10micrometers in diameter), CO and O3 recorded by the monitoring station onNguyen Van Cu street of Hanoi between 2010 and 2016 was much higher than inSeoul in the same period.
In Hanoi, the concentrations of air pollutants,except for O3, tend to increase in the dry season (autumn and winter), which isrelatively different from in Seoul, he said, noting it may be because of thedifferences in emission sources and meteorological conditions between the twocities.
Meanwhile, hour-based changes in pollutantconcentrations are quite similar between these cities, showing the impact ofexhaust fumes from transport vehicles during rush hours on air quality.
Luong said to have a comprehensive assessment ofHanoi’s air quality, it is necessary to analyse statistics collected indifferent locations, impacts of different emission sources (transport,industry, daily activities, construction and burning straw as agriculturalwaste), and meteorological conditions.
More automated air monitoring stations need tobe installed while other tools like satellite remote sensing should be appliedto support air quality management, he added.
At the workshop, participants underlined theneed to issue a particular policy on air environment protection such as a law;control major emission sources like cement, thermal power and steel production;boost the use of public transport; and promote the development of low-carboneconomic sectors.-VNA
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A view of Hanoi city (Photo: VNA) 
