Vietnamese Kids Should Take Break from School If Air Pollution Worsens: MoH

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has proposed that preschools, kindergartens, and elementary schools consider allowing students to take break if the air quality index remains hazardous for three consecutive days, local media reported.

This proposal comes against the backdrop of severe air pollution affecting the health of the population in some provinces and cities. This situation increases the risk of respiratory diseases such as acute respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and cancer.

According to the ministry’s Health Environment Management Agency, the impact of air quality on human health is assessed using the Air Quality Index (AQI), with ranges as follows: 0-50 (good), 51-100 (moderate), 101-150 (unhealthy for sensitive groups), 151-200 (unhealthy), 201-300 (very unhealthy), and 301-500 (hazardous).

If attending school is mandatory, outdoor activities should be avoided and the schedule may be adjusted accordingly, the ministry noted.  (VnExpress, VietnamNet, Tien Phong, Lao Dong Thu Do, VOV English)