<
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/hanoi-declared-worlds-most-polluted-city-authorities-seek-action-2025-01-03/>
'HANOI, Jan 3 (
Reuters) - Vietnam's capital Hanoi has been covered in thick
smog over recent weeks, putting it at the top of a list of the world's most
polluted cities, as the government said it would push for more electric
vehicles (EVs) to alleviate the problem.
Levels of hazardous small particles, known as PM2.5, were measured at 266
micrograms per cubic metre in Hanoi early on Friday, the highest reading among
a list of most-polluted cities, according to AirVisual, which provides
independent global air pollution information via a phone app.
The Southeast Asian country, a regional manufacturing hub with one of the
fastest-growing economies in Asia, has reported severe air pollution in its
major cities for years, particularly in Hanoi.
The thick smog is mostly caused by heavy traffic, trash burning and industrial
activities. "We the elderly can feel it very clearly when we suffer from
respiratory problems that lead to breathing difficulties," Luu Minh Duc, a
64-year-old resident of the city, said. "The situation seems to get worse
recently."
Young people are also complaining.
"At first I thought it was foggy ... but later I found out that it is actually
fine dusts that reduce my vision and make me feel like it is not healthy to
breathe," said 21-year-old student Nguyen Ninh Huong. Speaking at a meeting
with the transport ministry on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha
called for an accelerated transition to electric vehicles (EVs) as part of the
efforts to reduce pollution, state media reported.'
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
