Vietnamese Capital Hanoi Declared World’s Most Polluted City

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, was reported on Friday as the most polluted city globally, Anadolu Agency reported citing daily weather data.

Data from AirVisual, an independent source for global air pollution statistics, indicated that the PM2.5 concentration in Hanoi’s air was 13.2 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended annual guideline. PM2.5 refers to the concentration of hazardous small particles in the atmosphere.

With air quality classified as “unhealthy,” the air quality index (AQI) reached 309 in certain areas, as reported by Vietnam News. The AQI scale ranges from 0 to 500, with higher values indicating more severe pollution and health risks.

AirVisual has recommended that residents of Hanoi refrain from outdoor exercise, keep their windows closed to limit exposure to polluted air, and wear masks when outside.