According to Dr. Ho Quoc Bang from the university’s Institute for Environment and Resources, the institute conducted the survey from early 2017.

The results showed that traffic accounted for the highest rate of emissions in HCM City. The report claimed motorbikes were the main reason for air pollution, contributing to 90% of carbon monoxide; 65.4% of non-methane volatile organic compounds, 37.7% of dust and 29% of nitric oxide.

Motorbikes have been blamed as the major cause of pollution in HCM City

Bang said that more drastic measures should be taken, not only those of from 175 cc. Restrictions in inner-city areas could be a solution to the problem.

He warned that road traffic would worsen air pollution by 49% by 2025 and 79% by 2030. However, the operation of a metro project is expected to reduce traffic emissions by 3%.

Dr. Hoang Duong Tung, former deputy head of the Vietnam Environment Administration said that air pollution in Vietnam has reached an arming level. Particularly, big cities are facing the rise in PM2.5, PM2.5, described as superfine particles which can lead to many dangerous diseases. Normal masks can’t help to prevent this.

The government has issued many policies for air quality improvement; however, the effects have remained limited, Tung mentioned.

He cited the project to control motorcycles in localities nationwide was started in 2010, but to date has not yet been completed.

Previously, HCM City had air quality monitoring stations, but all of them have been out of work for many years. As a result, the city has none at present.

It is high time to further focus on air quality improvement for public health, Duong urged.