The increase of motor vehicles on the roads of HCM City and the boom in construction is adversely affecting the health of the city’s residents.

Speaking at a recent seminar on air pollution, poverty and health, Nguyen Dinh Tuan, head of the HCM City Environmental Protection Department, said particulates measured at the city’s air monitoring stations all exceeded permissible levels.

Toxic substances like nitrogen dioxide, benzene and toluene were two times higher than permitted levels, Tuan said.

Read more: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/2008/03/775497/

Source: Vietnam Net Bridge (http://english.vietnamnet.vn)