Hanoi, HCMC suffer from poor air quality Saturday

U.S. weather forecast service AccuWeather recorded the air quality index (AQI) in Hanoi on Saturday at 116, and a PM2.5 level of 66 µg/m3, ranking the air "unhealthy."

Hanoi's AQI is forecast to be between 118 and 120 until next Tuesday. A higher index means worse air pollution.

In HCMC the air quality on Saturday was ranked as "fair" by AccuWeather, with the AQI at 23. The level of PM2.5 in the air was recorded at 23µg/m3, also ranked as "fair."

Their quality in HCMC is projected to be "fair" through next Tuesday, with AQI forecast to be between 37-47.

Switzerland-based air quality monitoring facility IQAir AirVisual ranked both Hanoi and HCMC's air quality as "unhealthy" Saturday.

Hanoi’s AQI was recorded at 152, and the PM2.5 level at 56.6 µg/m3, which is 11.3 times that of WHO air quality standards.

The AQI in Hanoi will range from 102 to 152 until next Friday, which is either unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups, or simply unhealthy, according to AirVisual.

AirVisual recorded higher AQI in HCMC on Saturday, at 159, and PM2.5 level of 71 µg/m3, 14.2 times higher than WHO standards.

Until next Thursday, the air quality in HCMC is expected to stay at either "moderate" or "unhealthy for sensitive groups" levels, with the AQI ranging from 96 to 146, it said.

PM2.5 is defined as ambient airborne particulate that measures up to 2.5 microns in size, just a fraction of the width of a human hair. Their microscopic size allows these particles to be absorbed deep into the bloodstream upon inhalation, potentially causing health issues such as asthma, lung cancer, and heart disease.

Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to negative health effects like cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and premature mortality.