Brainstorming Session No.6

Motorbike Use and Urban Air Pollution, Part 2

 August 2, 2006

JWG held a second discussion on urban air pollution to supplement the previous session on 28-7-2006. Dr. Nguyen Thi Ha (Hanoi National Univ) was again invited, and two team members (Mr. Manh and Mr. Thang) of Prof. Nguyen Khac Trai's research group (Hanoi Univ of Technology) were also present. Other participants included members of the MOI master plan drafting team, representatives of Japanese producers, and VDF staff.

Using various slides and data, Dr. Ha explained the WHO international formulas for estimating the amount of emissions (how much is emitted on a certain road) and ambient air pollution (how polluted the atmosphere around the road is, depending on wind etc). A question was raised as to the rigidity of formulas. If internationally common coefficients are used to estimate the amount of pollution per each car, truck or motorbike, pollution is simply proportional to traffic volume and policy impact cannot be evaluated. In addition, characteristics of Vietnam's vehicle stock cannot be reflected.

Dr. Ha also explained the systems of monitoring air pollution (NOx, SOx, etc) at certain locations in Hanoi, and showed samples of collected data. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) is in charge of this task in cooperation with Hanoi National Univ. Since 2000, monitoring has been done continuously (except during the down time for maintenance) and summarized for each hour, 8-hour and 24-hour period. Several monitoring sites exist, including Thuong Dinh, Lang Street, HNU campus, etc. Data should be available from CENMA. Currently, the World Bank and Swedish SIDA are helping to upgrade equipment and analytical method.

Prof. Ohno introduced a study of Dr. Kiyoyuki Minato (Japan Automobile Research Institute), which focused on Asian motorization and environmental load. His main points are (i) data on existing stock of cars, not just new ones, is essential; and (ii) a combination of emissions control and car inspection system should be installed in Asian countries. His slides contained estimates of car-age profile in Thailand, shares of pollution-controlled and uncontrolled cars in China and Indonesia, alternative scenarios of CO emission with and without control in China, Thailand, etc. Participants agreed that such estimates for Vietnam were indispensable for making good policies.

Participating experts answered Prof. Ohno's questions as follows.

<EURO2> By Prime Minister Decision 249 (Oct. 2005), Vietnam decided to introduce EURO2. In principle, new regulation covers both cars and motorbikes, domestically produced and imported (details must be clarified further). In July 2006, EURO2 was introduced in five cities on a pilot basis (HN, HCMC, Haiphong, Danang, Cantho). In July 2007, this will be extended to all country. According to participants, EURO2, which primarily deals with cars, can be technically applied to motorbikes as well.

<VN Standard 5937-1995> This is an ambient air pollution standard of Vietnam. It regulates air quality in the environment, not the amount of emissions. According to Dr. Ha, the government is revising this standard to cover more substances and make it more realistic. The current standard is too rigorous to be implemented in Vietnam. Similar problems exist with waste water standards.

<Fuel> Vietnam uses imported gasoline. Quality should be relatively good. A90, A92 are popular and A95 is also available. A87 has been phased out. Leaded gasoline was abolished three years ago. Sulfur content is 0.25% for gasoline and 0.5-0.75% for diesel. Fuel is distributed by nine companies. State-owned Petrolimex is the largest with a market share of 70%. In 2009, Dung Quat Refinery is expected to start operation. Mixed gasoline in bottles with inferior quality is still sold along the road, but fewer people use it.

<Car age estimate> According to the team members of Prof. Nguyen Khac Trai, their team has estimates of vehicle age profile, ratios of regulated and unregulated vehicles, etc.