The air quality in the capital on December 7 exceeded the red-warning level, reaching purple, meaning that the air quality of the local atmosphere has reached a very unhealthy level for local residents.

Air pollution has got worse in Hanoi capital these days.

The air quality index (AQI) was recorded at the hazardous level of 235 in Hoan Kiem district at 6:00 a.m., while the air quality in the Dai La residential area, about 3km from Hoan Kiem Lake, was measured at 209, following an evaluation of the environment conducted using monitoring application PAMAir.

Meanwhile, independent air quality tracker AirVisual also reported that the AQI recorded at several air monitoring stations throughout Hanoi and other neighbouring areas had reached purple, thereby indicating that the quality of air was at a harmful level for human health.

In line with the pollution rankings of 10,000 major cities throughout the world, Hanoi ranked sixth in the list with an AQI of 180 and a PM2.5 level at 110.9 μg/m3.

Most notably, the PM2.5 level saw an increase in both the morning and the evening, meaning that the local air quality continues to worsen. According to experts, providing that the weather remains unchanged over the next days, the capital’s air quality will not improve.

Due to the health risks involved, specialists have advised citizens to refrain from venturing outside unless necessary, recommending that adults, children, pregnant women, and people suffering from respiratory diseases, wear masks and glasses if they do go out.