The air pollution in Hanoi lasts a long time, and super fine dust goes straight into the blood, which can cause cancer

The elderly, children are constantly hospitalized

From December 8 to December 15, Hanoi people are constantly subjected to several peaks of air pollution. The air quality index AQI always maintained at the violet level (very bad), sometimes exceeding the purple level to the highest pollution threshold – the brown threshold (hazardous). This level warns that air pollution affects the health of all people, advises people to limit going out and reduce their activity.

Everywhere pollution increases, smog, emissions are "trapped" but can not be dispersed due to the opposite heat, making the sky always surrounded by fog. The health of the people is therefore seriously affected. Especially the elderly, children and people with a history of chronic respiratory illnesses are constantly hospitalized due to health problems.

At the Geriatric Hospital, according to Dr. Dr. Tran Quang Thang – Head of Emergency Department and stroke, recently, the number of patients admitted to the emergency room here increased. Last week, on average, the department received 30-35 emergency cases per day, an increase of 1.5 times compared to normal days.

Cold weather and prolonged air pollution have affected the health of many people.

Similarly at National Hospital of Pediatrics, PhD. Dr. Do Manh Hung – Head of Communications and Customer Care Department said that the number of children hospitalized due to the cold weather and environmental pollution, though not many mutations, is somewhat higher than the normal day. .

Central Lung Hospital, due to the prolonged cold weather, low air quality, the hospitalization of patients due to respiratory diseases increased. However, the current number is not statistically available.

According to the Vietnam Environment Administration, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the air pollution situation in Hanoi will continue to maintain at a bad level. It is expected that in the next 3-4 days, when the weather is rainy, smog and "trapped" emissions have a chance to be released, the air quality in Hanoi will be improved.

Fine dust gets into the bloodstream, which can cause cancer

Experts said that the current Hanoi air, in addition to inorganic dust, organic dust, exhaust gas, also exists a special kind of dust, fine dust. There are two types of fine dust, PM10 and PM2.5, but the most dangerous ones are PM2.5. These are tiny particles in the air, about 2.5 microns or smaller, about 30 times smaller than a human hair.

This type of dust has the ability to creep into the lungs, affecting human health and the cause of many respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or asthma …

According to Dr. Do Manh Cuong – Department of Community Environmental Health, Department of Environmental Health Management (Ministry of Health), in big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, fine dust is mostly generated from gas. Traffic emissions such as motorbikes, cars, buses or from hooks hooked at the construction site.

As the concentration of fine dust in the outdoor air increases, the sky seems to fade and visibility is reduced. This situation is similar to when the weather is high humidity or fog.

"Increased humidity, polluted air, ultra-fine dust particles will be easier to penetrate, go directly to the tissue, alveoli and cause many very serious respiratory diseases," said Dr. Cuong said.

Fine dust and exhaust due to the inverse heat can not disperse, making Hanoi's sky surrounded by fog.

Further information, Dr. CKII Nguyen Ngoc Hong, Head of Occupational Lung Disease Department, Central Lung Hospital, said PM2.5 fine dust was formed from toxic substances such as: carbon, sulfur, nitrogen and alloy compounds. another kind is suspended in the air. These microscopic dust particles are capable of overcoming the protective "barrier" of regular masks, going deep into the lungs, weaving directly into the bloodstream and poisoning the body.

This type of dust is also the cause of respiratory infections, pneumonia, obstructive lung disease or even cancer.

"People who smoke this dust in the eyes at risk of runny nose, sneezing, shortness of breath, cough, even prolonged can cause airway disorders. For the elderly, young children or people with chronic respiratory problems, the condition could be more serious, ” said Dr. Hong.

According to Dr. Hong, although PM2.5 dust can penetrate masks, it is difficult to prevent, but if people wear masks, people can limit the dangers of harmful dust in the air.

In addition, when going out people also need to equip masks, hats, eyeglasses fully to protect themselves. If unfortunate signs appear health problems such as cough, runny nose, shortness of breath … need to quickly go to the nearest health facility for examination and treatment, avoiding subjective causes that make the situation worse .

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Health urgently recommend

In order to protect the health of the people, on December 14, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) issued recommendations.

According to the General Department of Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the air quality in Hanoi has continuously been at a very bad threshold, fine dust tends to increase. In the days from December 7 to December 12, in Hanoi, Viet Tri (Phu Tho), Ho Chi Minh City recorded the 24-hour average value of PM2.5 in excess of the allowed limit. In Hanoi, there is a station measuring the 24-hour average value of PM2.5 which exceeds the permitted limit by nearly 2-3 times.

Therefore, the General Department of Environment recommends that people, including students, should limit physical activity and exercise, close windows, doors, and wear PM2.5 dust-proof masks when going out to protect ensure health.

Air quality is maintained at a dangerous level, experts recommend that people should not go out to ensure health.

Also on 14/12, Department of Environmental Management (Ministry of Health) issued recommendations to guide people on prevention and health protection against the effects of air pollution.

Specifically, the Ministry of Health advises people to regularly monitor the situation of air quality on the official media, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Departments of Natural Resources and Environment of provinces and cities. Limit leaving home, exercise, outdoor labor when the air quality is bad. When going out, use a quality mask and wear a mask properly (ensure tight, tight face).

People need to clean their noses, gargle in the dark with physiological saline, especially after going out. Look at your eyes with physiological saline at night before going to bed.

For smokers, they should quit or limit smoking. For non-smokers should stay away from cigarette smoke.

People should limit the opening of windows and doors at the time of heavy air pollution, especially families near roads, near polluted areas. Regularly clean rooms and houses, clean and ventilate the living environment.

Limit use or replace the use of honeycomb, firewood, rice stoves with an electric hob, induction hob or gas range. Planting trees in and around your home helps to prevent dust and clean the air.

Besides, for people with respiratory disease, chronic mental illness, cardiovascular disease, malnutrition, aging, the Ministry of Health notes: People need to implement the above preventive measures more strictly. Minimize going out especially at times of heavy air pollution.

It is necessary to follow and maintain the prescription of a specialist. If there are signs of discomfort, aggravation should be examined immediately at specialized medical facilities. Enhance nutrition to improve body and resistance.

In time, if detecting acute diseases such as fever, rhinitis, bronchopulmonary pulmonary disease, cardio-vascular disease, etc., it is necessary to seek medical examination and treatment promptly.

The air pollution in Hanoi began on December 8, when the air quality index was maintained at a violet level – very bad (AQI> 200). Typical areas such as: Thanh Cong, Pham Van Dong, Nguyen Van Cu …

In particular, according to the statistics of the application Airvisual, there are times on December 14, AQI in some areas in Hanoi beyond the threshold of brown to brown – dangerous (AQI> 300), including: West Lake, 412, Sai Dong (Long Bien) 357, To Ngoc Van 359.

PAMair application also offers a measure of air quality of "dense" Hanoi with very bad threshold.

According to experts, the level of air pollution in Hanoi tends to be more and more complicated. Therefore, the city should put in place urgent measures to improve this situation, to ensure the health of the people.