Hanoi Tops List of Most Polluted Cities in the World

Thick smog covered the streets of the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, on Monday, significantly reducing visibility due to air pollution caused by high levels of particles from vehicle emissions and fine dust linked to construction activities. According to data from the AirVisual index, which provides independent global information on air pollution via a mobile app, the levels of hazardous fine particles known as PM2.5 in the air of Hanoi reached 187 micrograms per cubic meter late today (local time), making Hanoi the most polluted city in the world. According to a World Bank report in 2021, emissions from eight million registered vehicles in Hanoi accounted for 30 percent of air particle pollution, while emissions from the industrial sector made up another 30 percent. Approximately 100 flights to and from an international airport in Hanoi were either delayed or redirected to other cities on February 2 due to the thick fog and worsening air pollution.