Fine dust pollution can lead to long-term consequences: experts
According to experts, if Vietnam does not take drastic action soon, pollution will have long-term health consequences for future generations, such as reduced life expectancy and increased medical burden.
Straw burning causes air pollution in the northern province of Nam Dinh.(Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) — According to experts, if Vietnamdoes not take drastic action soon, pollution will have long-term healthconsequences for future generations, such as reduced life expectancy andincreased medical burden.
The national environment report in the 2016-20 period statedthat each year, Vietnam records over 20,000 cases of lung cancer.
Hoang Duong Tung, chairman of the Vietnam Clean AirPartnership, told Vietnam News Agency that dust pollution is a major problem inmany cities, causing significant air pollution. In large northern cities suchas Hanoi, about 30.5% of the days have poor or bad air quality index (AQI)levels.
On several days, the AQI declines to a very bad level, which is201-300.
Tung said that there are many reasons for air pollution in Vietnam,including straw burning after rice harvest, traffic, construction, industrialmanufacturing, and traditional village practices. Recently, fine dust pollutionhas been particularly high in cities due to the large number of vehicles on theroads.
“The more cities develop, the more construction works, industrialparks and factories are built. Materials such as cement, soil, scrap,emissions, and low awareness of businesses and people about environmentalprotection have increased fine dust causing air pollution,” said Tung.
He proposed several solutions to address the issue of airpollution, including strengthening emission controls for cars and motorcycles,promoting the use of clean fuel vehicles, electric cars, and electricmotorcycles. He also suggested encouraging the use of public transportationsuch as buses, trams, and metro to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.In addition, local authorities need to better control garbage burning,construction activities, and industrial production processes to reduce airpollution.
Nguyen Hung Thinh, deputy director of the Vietnam EnvironmentAdministration under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE),said that to limit air pollution, it is important to perfect the system ofpolicies to manage air quality.
Local authorities need to inspect and strictly punish individualsand organisations that cause dust pollution. They should also implementhygienic waste treatment methods and encourage people to stop using traditionalcoal stoves by 2030.
Thinh said that after the Law on Environmental Protection wasissued in 2020, many decrees and other regulations have been promulgated by thegovernment and the MONRE to establish a legal framework forenvironmental protection.
In particular, the Government's Decree 08 allows for urgentmeasures to be taken in the case of serious air pollution, depending on itsscale and severity. For example, authorities can temporarily suspend or adjustthe working hours of production facilities that emit high levels of dust andgas into the environment.
They can also limit or ban vehicle entry into provinces andcities, and suspend the operation of organisations, schools, and crowdedoutdoor activities./.
VNA
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Straw burning causes air pollution in the northern province of Nam Dinh.(Photo: VNA)