Air pollution from China flooded into Vietnam in the winter

Severe air pollution in China contributes more than 50% of SO ₂ toxic gas in northern Vietnam in winter and this situation has a long-lasting risk.

Dirty air from China flooded Vietnam

The Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) recently published research results showing that North Vietnam is significantly affected by trans-boundary air pollution from China. National. Research using advanced technology and conducting monitoring in 9 provinces and cities, including Hanoi, Vinh Phuc and northern border provinces.

The results show that the concentration of air pollution in the winter in the North has a great impact from China's emissions. In the concentration of air pollutants in the North, transboundary influence from China contributes about 55% to SO ₂ , 48% for NO ₂ and 30% for CO.

Beijing highway is covered by dust and smoke due to serious pollution.(Photo: Kyodo).

The cause of this phenomenon is the strong north-east monsoon in winter, which has pushed a large amount of toxic gas from China into northern Vietnam . In the summer, the dominant southwest and southeast monsoon winds prevent the encroachment of polluted air from the North.

Until now, the effects of pollution in China to the North of Vietnam have not been clear, but began to appear in border provinces. Research of Hydrometeorology and Climate Change shows that in the first month when the northeast monsoon is active, the provinces of Lang Son and Lao Cai . although there are not many economic activities, there is still SO level. _{2 is} higher than Hanoi and twice as much as HCMC.

Previously, the study of foreign authors also showed that the amount of SO ₂ deposited in Vietnam is approximately the threshold permitted by European standards and over 50% of SO ₂ deposits are deposited in Northern Vietnam from China, where SO ₂ deposits are 1-3 times higher than the above threshold.

China is suffering from heavy air pollution due to excessive exploitation and use of coal, causing SO ₂ and dust. In 2014, the Chinese government had to launch a program to declare war on air pollution. However, the heavy dependence on coal material will make this work difficult and the negative impacts on North Vietnam will be prolonged.

SO ₂ , NO ₂ and CO are toxic gases in fuel combustion smoke (gasoline vehicles), straw burning smoke, untreated factory emissions . These toxic gases, if inhaled, will slowly destroy the system Respiratory. The first injury is nasopharyngitis, larynx, then leads to chronic inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.

Sick people always lack of oxygen, leading to a decline in health and susceptibility to other diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, pneumonia and lung cancer.