Hanoi air pollution, the elderly and children should limit out

Before the information of the General Department of Environment monitoring mercury in the air in Hanoi, experts warned that people could not neglect because mercury is extremely toxic, it will be extremely harmful if inhaled.

Dr. Hoang Duong Tung, Deputy Director General of the Environment Administration, said that the air pollution in Hanoi is at an alarming level. The most recent data of the Environmental Monitoring Center (under the Directorate for Environment) is calculated from April 8 to April 14, Hanoi Air Quality Index (AQI) at 54. -140. Last week in February and early March, AQI index fluctuated 122-178.

According to the air quality assessment scale that affects human health (international standards), AQI's good level is below 50 and the green symbol. The AQI index at 51-100 belongs to the middle group with the yellow warning, recommending that people belonging to the group that are sensitive to environmental pollution should limit outside. AQI from 101 to 151 (orange area) is poor. Thus, the air pollution in Hanoi is at the orange level, recommending that sensitive people need to limit outside. Sensitive groups include children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases.

According to Mr. Tung, recently the monitoring instrument has detected mercury poison in the capital atmosphere , but the specific index has not been determined. Mercury is in the air only measured in one location in Hanoi, so there is not enough basis to conclude this index, but according to experts, it is impossible to neglect because of mercury poisoning. If humans inhale air containing this substance.

Transportation is believed to be the main cause of urban pollution.(Photo: Le Hieu).

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Hong Con, liquid mercury is less toxic, if in the form of vapor or compound, salt is very toxic and causes brain damage, liver when people are exposed, inhaled. breathe, eat right. Air at room temperature can saturate mercury vapor several times higher than allowed. If inhaled gas contains mercury, mercury will be rapidly absorbed through the respiratory tract, through the alveolar membrane into the bloodstream to the kidney, liver and central nervous system.

Associate Professor Con thinks that inhalation of mercury can cause acute severe lung disease, causing coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and burning pain in the lungs. In addition, it causes dementia, stomatitis, lethargy, convulsions, vomiting and enteritis. In some cases, it is possible to cause acute poisoning, respiratory failure, even death if exposed to high levels of mercury.

In addition, mercury is a bioaccumulative toxin that is easily absorbed through the skin, respiratory and digestive organs. Inorganic compounds are less toxic than organic compounds of mercury. Although less toxic than its compounds, mercury still produces significant environmental pollution because of the formation of organic compounds in the organism. One of its unique compounds is dimethyl mercury, so toxic that only a few microns fall into the skin can be fatal.

Minamata disease is a form of mercury poisoning . Mercury attacks the central nervous system and endocrine system, affecting the mouth, jaw muscles and teeth. Prolonged exposure causes brain damage and death. It may cause risks or disabilities to the fetus.

The expert said that it is likely that mercury measured in Hanoi air was born from medical waste incinerators or industrial waste, gold and silver production sites, dental centers. . Humans cannot interfere if mercury is in the air, but can prevent this situation if it is discovered.

Mr. Con recommends that mercury be contacted with extreme caution. Containers containing mercury must be tightly closed to avoid leakage and evaporation. The heating of mercury or its compounds must be done in a well-ventilated condition and the operator must wear a helmet with a gas filter. In addition, people should be careful with household items containing mercury as a thermometer. When suffering from mercury poisoning, it is best to bring the patient to a well-ventilated and emergency place to the hospital for timely treatment.