According to IQAir, the air quality in Vientiane Capital reached a harmful high this week due to densely concentrated PM2.5 levels.
Vientiane Capital reported its highest AQI of the month at 191 on Friday, soaring high above the safety threshold of 100. This is due to the highly concentrated PM2.5 levels in the city.
At 37.9, the concentration of the pollutant (PM 2.5) was seven times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual air quality guideline value of 15.
On Wednesday, Vientiane’s air quality was at 167 which is much higher than China’s capital Beijing where the AQI was only 109, according to the Beijing Environmental Protection Monitoring Center.
At 134, the AQI on Thursday was also reported as unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to data from IQAir.
Reports also show that the air quality will hover around 94-97 from Friday through to Sunday but unfortunately it will get slightly worse next week between 13-15 February when the AQI is predicted to slightly rise over 100.
Some ways to reduce air pollution exposure, according to IQAir, are using air purifiers and air quality monitors. Residents should also prevent exercising outdoors during this period and wear a mask if possible.
PM 2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter with a diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometers. Particles in this category are so small that they can only be detected with an electron microscope, but can enter blood vessels through the respiratory system, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
