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 The levels of hazardous small particles known as PM2.5 in the air at
the country's two largest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, have
been rising persistently since early last month, exceeding
"Vietnamese standards", the government said in a statement.
The government blamed the pollution on low rain and farmers burning
rice crop remnants after the harvest to prepare for new plantings.
Coal is also widely used for power generation in the country.
Air Visual - an independent online air quality index monitor - says
Hanoi's reading of PM2.5 has exceeded 300 micrograms per cubic meter
at times, the worst in the world. On Tuesday, it showed PM2.5 levels
at 180 in Hanoi and 86 in Ho Chi Minh.
The World Health Organization recommends an air quality standard for
PM2.5 of no more than 10 micrograms per cubic meter.
Such pollution could become a political issue in Vietnam, where
protests have been held in the past against the degradation of the
environment. Communist-ruled Vietnam tolerates little dissent and
protesters and activists are often prevented from gathering or
charged with "causing public disorder".
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"Local people, especially children, the elderly, pregnant women and
people with respiratory issues should refrain from traffic and
outdoor activities," the government said in the statement.
PM2.5 levels are forecast to stay high over the next days,
particularly at night and early in the morning, it added.
"People should wear masks and goggles when going outdoor," the
government said in the statement.
Similar slash-and-burn farming practices have also led to forest
fires in Indonesia that have created a choking haze across Malaysia
and Singapore in recent weeks.
(Reporting by Khanh Vu; Additional reporting Phuong Nguyen; Editing
by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
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