Hanoi ranked world's most polluted city

Vietnam’s capital city Hanoi topped other cities around the world to become the most polluted metropolitan area on Monday (March 4), as ranked by the Swiss air quality monitoring firm iQair.

The air pollution monitoring service reported an air quality index (AQI) of 191 in Hanoi on Monday. Accra in Ghana and Tehran in Iran were the second and third worst scorers, with AQIs of 167 and 166 respectively. A score of 0-50 is counted as "good" in the company's ranking system.

The thick smog covered Hanoi's streets, drastically reducing visibility. The smog was due to cold and damp weather in the area trapping airborne pollutants close to the surface, Vietnam's national meteorological agency said.

According to a 2021 World Bank report, road dust and vehicle emissions from the city's roughly 8 million registered vehicles account for around 30 percent of air particulate pollution in Hanoi, with emissions from industry making up another 30 percent.

Some 18,000 deaths have been linked to air pollution in northern and central Vietnam, the World Bank said. Last month, healthcare authorities in Hanoi advised people to wear masks and limit outdoor activities. - report from Reuters