What can be done to reduce air pollution in Vientiane?

Air pollution is an increasing problem and airborne particulate matter often rises to unsafe levels. To combat this problem, city authorities have instructed everyone to stop burning garbage, scrubland and rice fields. But it seems no one is taking any notice and day after day the sky is thick with haze. Vientiane Times asked around for people’s thoughts on this chronic problem.

Ms Noy, a resident of Sisattanak district, Vientiane: I like to walk by the Mekong every evening to breathe in some fresh air. But for the past few weeks I’ve stopped doing this because I’m not sure whether it’s going to make me healthy or ill. I feel that the air is not clean and often there’s a lot of smoke and haze. It’s lucky that this week we have some rain to cleanse the air. I think people should do more to highlight this issue and demand that stringent action be taken because, the way I see it, no one seems to care very much. We should all realise that it doesn’t take much for it to become worse. Air pollution is the result of human activity and I urge everyone to stop burning garbage and scrubland and to understand that breathing smoke is dangerous.  
 
Ms Bualy, a resident of Xaythany district, Vientiane: When I look up at the sky it looks like there’s smoke everywhere and the sky is always grey with reduced visibility. It also feels like the city is much warmer than before. Recently there was a fire at the landfill which caused a huge amount of air pollution. Normally we have fresh air in the mornings but now there’s so much smoke around and there’s still a bad smell. I’m not sure if the authorities have made a serious attempt to stop the burning but bad smells continue to emanate from the landfill site every day. I think everyone should be more conscientious about smoke pollution and not burn leaves and trash, especially plastic. The government should crack down on this and take action to end indiscriminate burning before it gets even worse.
 
Mr Daophet Inthaphone, a student from Borikhamxay province: I’ve noticed that a lot of factories are being built and they discharge gases into the air which drive up the level of PM2.5. Particulate matter of this kind is a health hazard, because we’re breathing in this polluted air every day and it harms our lungs.  The authorities should pay attention to this matter and not allow companies to build factories near residential areas.
 
Ms Na Soukphaphone, an employee in Sikhottabong district, Vientiane: I believe there are two main reasons for air pollution. The first is the burning of garbage in places that are not accessed by rubbish collection vehicles. The second is that many vehicles run on diesel while others are old and emit noxious exhaust gases. The government should do more to make people aware of the effects of bad air quality. How about making garbage collection free in order to reduce the amount of stuff that’s burned in open spaces and residential areas? And the department of public works and transport should do more vehicle checks and not allow “smokers” to stay on the road.

By Lamphone Pasanthong
(Latest Update February 18, 2022)