To consider the option to let students in Vietnam take days off if the air quality is at a hazardous level for 3 consecutive days

To consider the option to let students in Vietnam take days off if the air quality is at a hazardous level for 3 consecutive days (Internet image) 

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

On January 15, 2024, the Ministry of Health issued Dispatch 12/MT-SKHC on strengthening community recommendations for protecting health against the impact of air pollution.

To consider the option to let students in Vietnam take days off if the air quality is at a hazardous level for 3 consecutive days

The Environmental Health Management Department stated that in recent times, some cities have experienced air pollution that could potentially affect the health of people in the community.

To protect the health of people from the impact of air pollution, the Environmental Health Management Department has developed recommendations for prevention and protection against the health effects of air pollution to provide the public with basic knowledge for implementing preventive measures and protecting health. Specifically:

The air quality and its impact on human health are assessed using the Air Quality Index (AQI).

The AQI is calculated on a scale (06 AQI ranges) corresponding to symbols and colors to alert the public to the air quality and its impact on human health.

It is noteworthy that the Environmental Health Management Department advises considering allowing primary and preschool students to take days off if the air quality index is at a hazardous level for 3 consecutive days.

In addition, the Environmental Health Management Department provides general preventive measures for community health, as follows:

- Regularly monitor the air quality situation on the electronic information page of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in provinces and cities to implement appropriate preventive measures and protect health.

- When going outside, regularly wear a high-quality face mask and wear it correctly.

- Regularly clean and ventilate living spaces. Use face masks and eye protection when cleaning if there is a significant amount of dust or polluted air, from poor to hazardous levels.

- Limit the use or replace the use of traditional stoves such as bee nest stoves, firewood, straw burning with electric stoves, induction stoves, or gas stoves.

- Planting trees helps reduce dust and clean the air.

- For smokers and tobacco users: quit or limit smoking; avoid smoking indoors. For non-smokers, stay away from secondhand smoke.

- Regularly monitor personal health and undergo regular health check-ups.

- For individuals sensitive to air pollutants (children, pregnant women, people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and the elderly):

+ Avoiding contact with sources of air pollution, such as vehicles, construction sites, areas burning fuel like coal, firewood, straw, or other areas at risk of air pollution.

+ In cases of acute symptoms or illnesses such as fever, respiratory inflammation, bronchitis, hypertension, or cardiovascular diseases, seek immediate medical attention for examination, consultation, and treatment.

+ Strengthening nutrition to improve physical conditions and immunity.

+ Paying attention to keep the body warm in the winter and avoid sudden cold exposure.

+ People with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases should comply with and maintain treatment according to the specialist's prescription. In cases of discomfort or exacerbation, seek immediate medical attention at specialized healthcare facilities for examination, consultation, and treatment.

+ The elderly and people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases should undergo regular health check-ups.

Information on air quality in provinces and cities is regularly updated on the electronic information page of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (https://cem.gov.vn) and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of provinces and cities.

Therefore, people should regularly monitor the air quality situation to implement appropriate preventive measures and protect their health.

More details can be found in Official Dispatch 12/MT-SKHC, issued on January 15, 2024.

Nguyen Ngoc Que Anh

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