Hai Phong to take urgent measures to control air pollution
Chairmen of grassroots-level People’s Committees will be held accountable to the Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee if pollution-causing waste burning occurs without timely handling.
Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee Le Ngoc Chau has signed and issued a directive on the implementation of urgent measures to control air pollution across the city.
Accordingly, Chau assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment as the focal agency to monitor, publish and promptly issue warnings on the Air Quality Index (AQI); step up inspections of facilities with major emission sources and craft villages engaging in burning activities, and strictly handle violations; and urge the installation and effective operation of automatic emissions monitoring systems. At the same time, the department is instructed to increase the frequency of mist spraying for dust suppression, road washing and dust vacuuming on major traffic routes, prioritizing implementation before 6 am every day.
The Department of Construction is tasked with leading the review and mapping of dust pollution hotspots from traffic and construction activities; coordinating with the city Police to regulate traffic flows and reduce congestion; and requiring construction sites to strictly implement shielding, moisture spraying and vehicle washing measures. When the AQI reaches very poor levels, dust-generating activities must be suspended or restricted in sensitive areas such as schools, hospitals and densely populated residential zones.
The directive clearly assigns responsibilities to the Department of Industry and Trade and the city Economic Zone Authority in controlling emissions in industrial parks and clusters and to the city Police in handling uncovered material-transport vehicles and illegal waste or by-product burning.
The Department of Science and Technology is tasked with researching and applying clean technologies and artificial intelligence in air pollution control. The Department of Health is to issue health advisories based on AQI thresholds and prepare disease response plans.
The Department of Education and Training is to guide schools in limiting outdoor activities when air quality is poor, while the Department of Home Affairs is to coordinate communication efforts to curb the burning of votive offerings.
People’s Committees of communes, wards and special zones bear comprehensive responsibility for controlling emission sources within their jurisdictions. Chairmen of grassroots-level People’s Committees will be held accountable to the city People’s Committee Chairman if pollution-causing waste burning occurs without timely handling.
Press and media agencies are requested to step up information dissemination and guidance to help residents prevent the impacts of air pollution and build social consensus in implementing the directive.
HAI HAU – DO HIEN