Dust, pollution clog up HCM City

Pollution-related illnesses send thousands to the hospital.

HCM City residents travel on the Ha Noi Expressway, one of the city’s dustiest routes. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Phan

HCM CITY— Half the 1,000 patients visiting HCM City’s Ear-Nose-Throat Hospital daily suffer from sinusitis and rhinitis, thought to be caused by dust pollution.

Dr Vo Quang Phuc, deputy director of the hospital, said the number of patients suffering from the diseases was increasing year by year. He blamed it on dust and smoke, including vehicle exhaust and emissions from factories and construction works.

A recent survey by the city Environmental Protection Division showed the particulate levels at several city entrance points to be 1.5-3 times higher than permitted.

They include An Suong crossroads in District 12, Hang Xanh roundabout in Binh Thanh District, Phu Lam roundabout in District 6, the Dien Bien Phu-Dinh Tien Hoang intersection in District 1, six-road intersection in Go Vap District and Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard in Binh Chanh District.

Phuc warned that people frequently exposed to particulates could contract the diseases within six months.

Initially patients will sneeze, have a running nose and serious inflammation indicated by nasal fluids turning blue and aches around the nose.

Phuc advised patients with such symptoms to see a doctor immediately.

Since the nose has a complex structure of multiple cavities located beneath the skull and close to the ears and throat, the disease can spread easily.

The most severe complication that can arise is sepsis, which can even cause death, according to Phuc.

Dang Thi Hanh, not her real name, a resident of District 10, said she initially just sneezed but felt a pain in the nose for the past six months coupled with blue nasal fluids and breathing difficulties.

“Only after I went to the hospital did I realise I had serious inflammation,” she said.

Doctors said Hanh’s problem was due to prolonged inhalation of dust and smoke, which caused the mucous membrane in her nasal path to swell and obstruct breathing.

Nguyen Thanh Phong, a deliveryman in Tan Binh District who had similar symptoms, was diagnosed as suffering from chronic sinusitis and the infection had spread and caused his eyes to swell up.

Phuc said people frequenting the streets should wear respirators to keep out dust and regularly wash their nose with salt water to protect the mucous membrane. —