Vietnam: What are the regulations on air pollution levels that students are out of school? What are the measures taken to prevent and protect health in case the air quality index is at a very bad level?
- What are the regulations on air pollution levels that students in Vietnam are out of school?
- What are the measures taken to prevent and protect health in Vietnam in case the air quality index is at a bad level?
- What are the measures taken to prevent and protect health in Vietnam in case the air quality index is at a very bad level?
What are the regulations on air pollution levels that students in Vietnam are out of school?
On January 15, 2024, the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health Environment Management issued Official Dispatch 12/MT-SKHC in 2024 to strengthen recommendations to communities on measures to protect health against the effects of air pollution.
Accordingly, in the Recommendation issued together with Official Dispatch 12/MT-SKHC in 2024, the AQI is calculated on a scale (06 AQI value ranges) corresponding to symbols and colors to warn air quality and the degree of impact on human health, As follows:
AQI value range | Air quality | Color | Effects on human health |
0 - 50 | Good | Green | Good air quality, no impact on health |
51 - 100 | Average | Gold | Air quality is at an acceptable level. However, sensitive people (the elderly, children, and people with respiratory, and cardiovascular diseases ...) can suffer certain health effects. |
101 - 150 | Less | Orange | Sensitive people suffer from health problems, ordinary people have little effect. |
151 - 200 | Bad | Red | Normal people begin to have health effects, sensitive groups may experience more serious health problems. |
201 - 300 | Very bad | Violet | Health warning: people suffer more serious health effects. |
301 - 500 | Hazardous | Brown | Health Emergency Warning: The entire population is severely affected by health. |
Information on the air quality of provinces and cities is regularly updated on the websites of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (https://cem.gov.vn) and the Departments of Natural Resources and Environment of provinces and cities.
Accordingly, Section 6 of the Recommendation issued together with Official Dispatch 12/MT-SKHC in 2024 sets out preventive and health protection measures when the air quality index is at a hazardous level (AQI at 301-500) as follows:
*For ordinary people
- Avoid outdoor activities, switch to indoor activities, or switch to another day when the air quality index is better.
- Close windows and doors to limit and avoid exposure to pollutants.
* For sensitive people
- Avoid all outdoor activities, and switch to indoor activities.
- Close windows and doors to limit and avoid exposure to pollutants.
- Monitor health, if acute symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, or fever appear, it is necessary to immediately go to medical facilities for examination, consultation, and treatment.
- For kindergartens, preschools, and primary schools, students may be considered to be out of school if the air quality index is at a hazardous level for 03 consecutive days. If school attendance is required, avoid outdoor activities, switch to indoor activities, or adjust school times accordingly.
Thus, in case the air quality index is at a hazardous level (AQI at 301-500), kindergartens, kindergartens, and primary schools can consider dismissing students if the air quality index is at a hazardous level for 03 consecutive days.
What are the measures taken to prevent and protect health in Vietnam in case the air quality index is at a bad level?
Section 4 of the Recommendation issued together with Official Dispatch 12/MT-SKHC in 2024 guides the measures taken to prevent and protect health in Vietnam in case the air quality index is at a bad level (AQI at 151 - 200):
* For ordinary people
- Limit outdoor activities or participate in strenuous physical activities. If you have to work, outdoor activities should be arranged, choose a time that is less polluted during the day, need to rest more, and perform activities with moderate intensity.
- Avoid operating in areas with a high risk of air pollution.
- If you have to participate in traffic, promote the use of public transport, and limit the use of motorbikes and bicycles to reduce exposure to polluted air.
- Limit the opening of windows and doors when the air is heavily polluted, especially for families near roads and air-polluted areas.
- Clean your nose, and rinse your throat morning and evening with physiological saline, especially after going out. Wash your eyes with physiological saline in the evening before going to bed.
* For sensitive people
- Avoid outdoor activities or strenuous physical activities. It is recommended to do activities such as movement, and indoor exercise. Limit opening windows and doors during times of heavy air pollution.
- Clean your nose, and rinse your throat morning and evening with physiological saline, especially after going out. Wash your eyes with physiological saline in the evening before going to bed.
- Monitor health, if there are acute symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, or fever appear, immediately go to medical facilities for examination, consultation, and treatment
What are the measures taken to prevent and protect health in Vietnam in case the air quality index is at a very bad level?
Section 5 of the Recommendation issued together with Official Dispatch 12/MT-SKHC in 2024 guides preventive measures and health protection when the air quality index is at a very bad level (AQI at 201 - 300)
* For ordinary people
- Avoid outdoor activities for long periods or participate in strenuous physical activities. Encourage indoor activities.
- Avoid operating in areas with a high risk of air pollution. If you must operate in areas with a high risk of pollution, use masks that can prevent fine dust (dust with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 2.5 μm).
- If you have to participate in traffic, promote the use of public transport, and limit the use of motorbikes and bicycles to reduce exposure to polluted air.
- Limit opening windows and doors during times of heavy air pollution.
- Clean your nose, and rinse your throat morning and evening with physiological saline, especially after going out. Wash your eyes with physiological saline in the evening before going to bed.
* For sensitive people
- Avoid all outdoor activities, switch to indoor activities, or switch to another day when the air quality index is better
- Limit opening windows and doors during times of heavy air pollution.
- If you must leave the house, minimize the time spent outdoors and use masks that can prevent fine dust.
- Clean your nose, and rinse your throat in the morning and evening with physiological saline, especially after going out. Wash your eyes with physiological saline in the evening before going to bed.
- Monitor health, if there are acute symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, or fever appear, immediately go to medical facilities for examination, consultation, and treatment
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