Hanoi is losing VND1 billion a day due to air pollution damage, said Prof. Le Van Khoa from Hanoi National University.

 

The main sources for air pollution are factories, manufacturing facilities and the 1.8 million cars and motorbikes.

 

Prof.  Khoa said polluted air contains many elements that can be dangerous for human's health, but the most prominent one is dust. The smaller the size of dust, especially those from factories and vehicles running on diesel, the more harmful it is.

 

 

Air pollution causes major impacts on Hanoi's economy and living standard.

 

The damage that air pollution causes to Hanoi’s economy can be estimated at around VND1 billion ($54,000) a day, or $23 million per year, Prof. Khoa said.

 

Recent studies showed a close link between dust pollution and heart diesease. Air pollution also affects the vegetative nervous system, causing headache, tiredness and sweating.

 

Dust density measured in major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City has been 1.5 to 3 times higher than allowed standard. This can even increase more significantly during rush hours at areas with high traffic congestion.

 

Researches show that CO and CmHn emissions from transportation in large cities in Vietnam account for 70 to 90 percent of total emission; while those from industrial, construction, handicraft and urban living account for 10 to 30 percent.

 

A recent survey of 1,500 people living in Hanoi showed that only 2 percent said the city had good air quality; 32 percent said the air was mildly polluted; and 56.3 percent said it was seriously polluted.