Job Discussion Forums

[Saigoner]

Of course, all major cities have pollution today in the world.

In the last couple of years, I'm developed the "Saigon cough." There is also the "Bangkok Cough" and "Hong Kong cough."

Nano-particles, from emissions from cars and motorbikes.

Because of the pollution, I am considering moving to a smaller city, if, I can find work.

Is anyone else experiencing breathing/respiratory problems in HCMC because of the pollution?

Is the pollution actually getting worse, or are the negative effects of it on my health, because I've been breathing longer and longer, as I live here?

http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/?catid=3&newsid=53682

[Zembekiko1Aegean]

Fortunatley, I smoke two packs of "Cam Mai" (Craven "A") a day. I feel confident that the tar and nicotene contained therein coats my lungs from all other harmful deposits.
The weather here recently has been unseasonably warm. Try motorbiking to work wearing a white tie. It's grey by the time you get to school. How the Vietnamese get by without eye protection is beyond me.
Yes, in the past week I have noticed my students coughing allmost en masse. We all cough together, it's a family thing. Rainy season is nice only because it washes out into the river all that nasty breathing material.
But things could be worse. Yesterday, just after my shadow had passed, a taxi completely wiped out three motorbikes on Vo Van Tan. One motorbike was in pieces at the taxi's side, two others crushed underneath the car. The idiot wasn't watching where he was going, was on the wrong side of the street, the police came and outlined everything in white chalk. Including bodies. Ahhh, give me that Saigon air anytime.

[Green Acres]

There are no regulations that restrict industrial air-borne pollution, or automobile and heavy truck emissions. Most buses are from Korea and were disgarded there because they were not environmentally friendly. The last thing on the "government for the people's" minds is the concerns of pollution. Pollution controls and considerations only cost money -- there is no money in it, and therefore, the problem becomes pervasive and multiplies.

[jb0072009]

I recommend that you get an air pollution mask available at Diamond department store in the back of the little supermarket. They cost 90000VND. Kind of uncomfortable on hot days but sure beats breathing in all that exhaust whilst on your motorbike in traffic. Now if only they had a good eye protection from the pollution. My eyes burn sometimes and I tried goggles but they are hot and uncomfortable plus fog up

[Rock Hopper]

Yes when they perform an autopsy they will find blackened lungs.

Most of the coughing is bacterial, which continues to mutate as it circulates with the taxi drivers.

Another problem which will also continue to increase is the amount of sand and cement circulating in the city's air as a result of all the building taking place.

As suggested wearing a mask will help as will a pair of wrap around sunnies.

Shifting out to the suburbs and access to a swimming pool I found helpful.

Eat plenty of fish or take fish/cod liver oil capsules daily the Vit.A & synthesized Vit D(exposure to the sun for about 10min) will improve your lung function and mental out look.

[jb0072009]

Well I do not know if omega 3 will help much but it sure wouldnot hurt. Living out in the burbs would help but if you work in the city that is a long commute. I suspect the air has much particulates in it from what I have read in local bao's (newspapers). That and the NOx in the air which cause the eye burning and the sulfur didoxide will definitely toast your lungs. Oh well no worst then LA and not as bad as Mexico City or Bejing. It does not even make the top 25 list of most polluted cities

[sg9015]

I don't think that it is any worse than London. I don't see what everyone keeps moaning about. The dust gets in your eyes when riding along certain roads but these little face masks are useless against the fine particulates that would cause the damage anyway. Most women just wear them to try and keep their faces as white as possible.

[CThomas]

I'm bringing a small-particulate mask with filters for being in traffic.
http://www.amazon.com/Respro-Techno-Contour-Face-Mask/dp/B000OYJUUS/ref=pd_sim_k_4

I'm also bringing a shower filter that's capable of filtering out VOCs: http://www.amazon.com/Aquasana-AQ-4100-Deluxe-Adjustable-Showerhead/dp/B0016BS9T6/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_img_a

Hopefully, can we get decent home air-purifiers there? I'll plug that sucker in and leave it running as long as the power stays on.

Yes, get Fish Oil pills with Vitamin D. Internal Vitamin D actually works better than sunlight in that it can't wash off, believe it or not.

Also, I think this is prime opportunity to consider electric scooters: w/out catalytic converters, etc. scooters emit far more pollutants than humvees. I wonder how receptive people are to the idea of electric scooters there. Any info or opinions?

On a final note, I hope I can find employment or opportunities to teach English/Communication in ways that help find ways to collaborate on solutions -- be they scientific or more market-based -- to these problems. Do any teachers here feel they work at particular places where authentic communication can revolve around science, business, marketing, problem-solving?

[sg9015]

You see alot of Electric bicycles ridden mainly by young teenagers and they seem to keep up with most traffic. In Saigon, if you are travelling at 40kph you will find yourself overtaking alot of people.

For me, I try and look at the bigger picture and see where that electricity comes from. No options here to opt for green only suppliers. I'm quite happy on a 4 stroke bike that does 180km to the gallon and I know that it produces more smog forming particulates than a Humvee but that same Humvee will burn over 10 times more fuel to travel the same distance (and get in my way!!!)

The filter has to be a good thing. There was only one journey where I could feel the effects of exhaust pollution and that was stuck in major rush hour traffic heading North East out of Saigon. If you live out that way, the traffic is much worse. I live in Trung Son and it is an easy 10 minute ride to Binh Than market from there. My advice would be to look in the Saigin South area for accomodation if you would like to live in a less polluted area and have easier journeys.

As for your last question, the only thing I could think of is trying to get involved with a group like Bizlink who mentor and collaborate with groups at University level. Not sure if they get paid though for that.

[jb0072009]

As I said in an earlier post you can buy air pollution masks here with the same activated charcoal filter as the one on Amazon for around $5. They have replacement filters there as well. If you are going to be over paranoid about the air, water and food you might want to think twice about coming here. If you get an apt in district 7 or 8 you will get away from much of the air pollution. They are only about a 15-20 min commute to district 1. Most of the apt buildings have there own water treatment systems although I still would not drink the tap water but it is safe for showering, washing clothes and dishes with.

[sg9015]

[jb0072009]

In Diamond Plaza link to product neomask http://www.neovisionvn.com/english/products.html

[sg9015]

Thank you JB. I'll have a look. I normally avoid Diamond Plaza as I can't afford anything there!

[sg9015]

Bought some. Thanks for the tip. It's on the third floor if anyone else goes hunting. 88000d. They didn't seem to have any replacement filters in stock though.

To me the plastic breath holes look more for show than anything. If you try and close or open them, they fall apart and are quite tricky to put back together.

Kids like them though!

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad272/tx9015/IMG_0389.jpg

[CThomas]