Particulate matter pollution are becoming a serious threat to human health and the living environment, especially in large cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. With their extremely small size, PM2.5 and PM10 fine dust can penetrate deep into the body, causing a series of health problems such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer.
What is Particulate Matter?
According United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the term PM (Particulate Matter) refers to airborne particulate matter, a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets. Some particles, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, are large enough or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye. However, many other particles are extremely small and can only be detected with an electron microscope.
The European Environment Agency (EEA) also defines fine dust as a combination of solid particles and liquid droplets that exist in the air. They can be emitted directly from emission sources or formed when pollutants from different sources react with each other in the atmosphere and form particulate matter pollution.
Types of particulate matter
Particulate matter is classified primarily based on the size of the particles present in the air. The two main groups of most concern are PM10 and PM2.5, each with different characteristics and levels of impact on human health.
- PM10: These are dust particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less. They often include components such as soil dust, sand, pollen, or particles from combustion processes. PM10 can penetrate the respiratory system through inhalation, causing irritation and respiratory problems.
- PM2.5: These particles are extremely small, only 2.5 micrometers or smaller. PM2.5 is often formed from vehicle exhaust, fossil fuel combustion, or chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Due to their extremely small size, they have the ability to penetrate deep into the alveoli and even penetrate the bloodstream, causing serious diseases such as cardiovascular, respiratory, and cancer.
To put this in perspective, compare the size of PM2.5 to a grain of sea salt. The average grain of salt is about 100 micrometers in diameter, which is 40 times larger than a PM2.5 particle. This shows how tiny and dangerous this type of dust is.
Fine particulate matter, especially PM2.5, not only affects health but also reduces visibility and contributes to photochemical smog. Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union (EU) use the total mass index of PM10 and PM2.5 as a basis for setting air quality standards to protect public health.
The current situation of fine dust in Vietnam
According to recent environmental reports, the situation of particulate matter in Vietnam, especially in big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is at an alarming level.
The National Environmental Status Report for the 2018-2020 period shows that the average annual PM2.5 dust concentration in Hanoi has exceeded the national standard by nearly 2 times. In 2019, up to 30.5% of the days in the year recorded poor and bad air quality, with some days even reaching very bad levels. In the 2022-2023 period, monitoring results continued to show that the PM2.5 concentration in Hanoi ranged from 26 to 52 µg/m³, exceeding the allowable limit by 1.1 to 2.1 times. Not only Hanoi, provinces such as Bac Ninh and Thai Nguyen are also facing a similar situation.
According to the Air Visual application (belonging to IQAir, Switzerland), on the morning of January 10, the PM2.5 dust concentration in many areas in Ho Chi Minh City reached 80.5 µg/m³, 16.1 times higher than the WHO's annual recommendation (5 µg/m³). This is a worrying number, reflecting the serious level of air pollution in the largest city in the country.c
The Vietnam State of the Environment Report 2023 published by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment also pointed out that even rural areas in the North are not immune to air pollution. Many monitoring stations recorded PM2.5 concentrations exceeding standards by up to 3.5 times, especially during periods of severe air quality deterioration.
The cause of fine dust is increasing as it is today
Fine dust pollution, especially PM2.5 and PM10, is becoming a serious problem in Vietnam, caused by many different factors, including human impact and natural conditions. Here are the main causes:
- Emissions from urban transport: Motorcycles and cars are major sources of emissions, especially in large cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where vehicle density is high and traffic congestion is frequent.
- Industrial and construction activities: Thermal power plants, industrial parks and construction sites emit large amounts of fine dust through fuel combustion and uncontrolled construction.
- Burning of straw and agricultural waste: In rural areas, burning of straw after harvest is the main cause of increased fine dust concentrations, affecting not only rural areas but also spreading to neighboring urban areas.
- Temperature inversion phenomenon: From October to April, the North is often affected by temperature inversion, causing pollutants to be retained in the lower atmosphere, increasing the concentration of fine dust.
- Economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic: The sharp increase in production, transportation and construction activities after the social distancing period has led to a spike in fine dust emissions.
- Limitations in environmental management: The lack of strict regulations on emission control, ineffective air quality monitoring systems and low environmental awareness among some people also contribute to aggravating the problem.
Introducing the standard ambient air monitoring system
The ambient air monitoring system is a modern tool, designed to monitor and measure air quality parameters in the living environment. With the mission of protecting public health and the environment, iMisff 8101 AQ automatic air monitoring solution of Viet An has affirmed its leading position in the Vietnamese market in the field of environmental monitoring.
iMisff 8101 AQ (Air Quality) is an automatic ambient air monitoring system that helps to quickly identify the source of pollution and assess the level of impact on public health according to current standards. This is an indispensable solution in monitoring and controlling air pollution, ensuring a safe and clean living environment.
Outstanding monitoring parameters
- Standard: PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO, NO2, NOx, SO2, CO, along with meteorological factors such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind direction, wind speed and rainfall.
- Extend: Total dust TSP, meet the needs of comprehensive monitoring.
The difference of iMisff 8101 AQ
- Save money and time: The equipment is integrated in a single monitoring cabinet, helping to minimize installation and operation time.
- Easy to use: Customers can use it immediately after receiving the product without complicated adjustment.
- Synchronous integration: The system is continuously connected to the IoT Platform – iLotusLand, allowing data to be transmitted directly to the central control room, helping with effective remote management and monitoring.
Conclusion
Particulate matter pollution has become a global challenge, no longer limited to a single country or region. In Vietnam, the high concentration of fine dust PM2.5 and PM10 is seriously threatening air quality and public health. To address this issue, advanced monitoring systems such as iMisff 8101 AQ are the optimal solution, helping to monitor, control and promptly warn of pollution sources. Only by synchronous action from awareness to technology can we build a future with clean air and a sustainable environment.
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