Friday and Saturday, December 6-7, 1996
Common Room, University House,
and J G Crawford Building, National Centre for Development Studies,
Australian National University
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Seminar on Environment and Development in Vietnam
Friday and Saturday, December 6-7, 1996 Common Room, University House,
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Some aspects of air quality in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Dr Hiep Nguyen Duc,
Environment Protection Authority NSW
Abstract
This paper reviews the state of air quality in Ho Chi Minh City as conducted by several organisations in recent years. A comparision of the air quality in HCM City with some other cities in the region is also made. It is shown that the air quality of both indoor and outdoor (ambient) has been deteriorated in recent years. This is mainly due to the increase in the usage of vehicles and an increasing number of industries in and around the city.
Compared with other cities, such as Beijing, Tokyo, Bangkok and Manila, the level of SO2 pollution is below those of these cities while the levels of CO and NO2 are approaching the levels of these cities. In the case of particle pollution, the peak particle level at some heavy traffic sites in HCM city is very high and exceeds those of Bangkok and Manila. The lead pollution is less than that of Bangkok . However, the lead level will be rapidly increasing unless concrete action is implemented.
Experiences of other cities in the area of environment management can be applied to prevent serious degradation of air quality in the city. Suggestion for some measures that can be incorporated quickly into an integrated air quality and transport management plan is also presented.
Dr Hiep Duc
Environment Protection Authority NSW
PO Box 29
Lidcombe, NSW 2141 Australia
Tel: +61 (2) 795-5205; +61 (2) 795-5454
Fax: +61 (2) 709-2836
Email: hduc@airmoon.epa.nsw.gov.au