HCMC – Deaths linked to fine dust pollution in HCMC far outnumber fatalities from traffic accidents, according to recent data.
Dr. Tran Du Lich, chairman of the Advisory Council for the Implementation of the National Assembly’s Resolution 98 on special mechanisms and policies to develop HCMC, emphasized the alarming disparity during a scientific seminar on carbon credits in transportation held on December 12. The annual concentration of fine dust in the city exceeds World Health Organization limits by up to six times, resulting in an estimated 1,840 to 3,150 deaths per year.
“These numbers are staggering,” said Lich. “It makes me hesitant to even breathe outside, especially during rush hour when traffic congestion creates a suffocating blanket of fumes.”
The seminar, held by the HCMC Institute for Development Studies and the Advisory Council for the Implementation of Resolution 98, shed light on the city’s deteriorating air quality. Experts identified the rapid increase in vehicle ownership, particularly diesel-powered vehicles, and industrial emissions as major contributors to the crisis.
The situation became particularly dire on December 6, when a thick smog blanketed the city, with fine dust levels reportedly exceeding permissible limits by tens of times, according to Tien Phong news site.
According to the Air Visual application, the concentration of PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller) in HCMC at 8 a.m. on December 6 was 114.6µg per cubic meter, far exceeding the permissible level of 5µg per cubic meter. This prompted health officials to issue warnings, advising residents to wear masks and limit outdoor activities.
The Center for Applied Economics Consulting at HIDS highlighted that the rapid increase in vehicles, including over 7.6 million motorbikes, has significantly contributed to HCMC’s rising air pollution levels.
In response to this escalating crisis, HCMC aims to cut 90% of additional air pollutants from the transportation sector by 2030.
To achieve this, Lich proposed expanding public transportation by investing in metro lines, electric buses, and other sustainable options. He emphasized promoting green vehicles through tax breaks and subsidies for electric cars and motorcycles.
Improving traffic management to reduce congestion and emissions and enforcing stricter emission standards with stringent limits on vehicle and industrial pollutants were also identified as critical steps.
