The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has issued an urgent directive to address the anticipated air pollution in Hanoi and surrounding provinces at the end of November and early December.
The directive, dated November 27, calls upon various ministries and major industrial corporations, including the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group, Vietnam Electricity, Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation, and others, to implement immediate measures to mitigate the impact of the forecasted pollution.
According to national environmental monitoring data and meteorological forecasts, the northern region, particularly Hanoi, is expected to experience adverse weather conditions such as temperature inversions, calm winds, and fog over the next ten days. These conditions are likely to hinder the dispersion of pollutants, leading to elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that could exceed the VN_AQI threshold of 150, posing direct threats to public health and socio-economic activities.
The ministry emphasizes the absolute prohibition of discharging untreated waste into the environment under any circumstances. To proactively manage and reduce pollution levels, the ministry urges relevant ministries and corporations to enforce stringent measures.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade is tasked with ensuring that all power plants, steel mills, chemical, and fertilizer factories in the north operate their emission treatment systems efficiently and at high capacity during this period. Additionally, they are encouraged to consider reducing production capacity or postponing major maintenance during days when pollution levels are classified as "Very Bad".
The Ministry of Construction is advised to instruct project management boards and contractors to adhere strictly to environmental protection measures during construction activities, such as dust suppression and vehicle washing. They should also consider halting activities that generate significant dust during days when air quality is deemed "Hazardous".
The Ministry of Public Security is directed to enhance traffic management to prevent congestion and localized pollution, while also cracking down on vehicles that violate environmental regulations. The Ministry of Health is tasked with disseminating health protection guidelines, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and those with respiratory conditions.
For industrial corporations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment outlines three critical actions: ensuring the effective operation of emission treatment systems, adjusting production schedules to minimize emissions during unfavorable weather conditions, and closely monitoring and controlling dust emissions and air quality data.
The ministry will continue to monitor the situation using advanced technologies such as satellite remote sensing and drones to detect unusual emission sources. They will collaborate with local authorities to form inter-agency task forces if necessary, to ensure compliance and transparency in addressing violations.
Google translate