Air Quality in Hong KongAir Quality in Hong KongAir Quality in Hong KongAir Quality in Hong Kong

By: Loren WongBy: Loren Wong

What is happening to our air quality What is happening to our air quality and what is causing it to change?and what is causing it to change?

What is happening to our air quality What is happening to our air quality and what is causing it to change?and what is causing it to change?

Our air quality is getting Our air quality is getting worse and worse. Cars worse and worse. Cars and factories emit smoke and factories emit smoke which contains chemicals which contains chemicals that pollutes the air.that pollutes the air.

Our air quality is getting Our air quality is getting worse and worse. Cars worse and worse. Cars and factories emit smoke and factories emit smoke which contains chemicals which contains chemicals that pollutes the air.that pollutes the air.

Diesel trucks emit a Diesel trucks emit a lot of smoke and lot of smoke and harmful substancesharmful substances

Diesel trucks emit a Diesel trucks emit a lot of smoke and lot of smoke and harmful substancesharmful substances

The governmental department that handles The governmental department that handles affairs about air pollution is the Environmental affairs about air pollution is the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).Protection Department (EPD).

The governmental department that handles The governmental department that handles affairs about air pollution is the Environmental affairs about air pollution is the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).Protection Department (EPD).

Which governmental department Which governmental department handles affairs about air pollution?handles affairs about air pollution?Which governmental department Which governmental department

handles affairs about air pollution?handles affairs about air pollution?

Official site of the EPD: Official site of the EPD: http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/eindex.htmlhttp://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/eindex.htmlOfficial site of the EPD: Official site of the EPD: http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/eindex.htmlhttp://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/eindex.html

How is air pollution How is air pollution measured?measured?

How is air pollution How is air pollution measured?measured?

A map showing the A map showing the locations of APMSlocations of APMSA map showing the A map showing the locations of APMSlocations of APMS

The EPD has set up The EPD has set up Air Pollution Air Pollution Monitoring Stations Monitoring Stations (APMS) that records (APMS) that records the amount of the amount of pollutants in the air.pollutants in the air.

The EPD has set up The EPD has set up Air Pollution Air Pollution Monitoring Stations Monitoring Stations (APMS) that records (APMS) that records the amount of the amount of pollutants in the air.pollutants in the air.

The API The API system and system and advice to advice to public (not public (not taken from taken from the EPD the EPD official site)official site)

The API The API system and system and advice to advice to public (not public (not taken from taken from the EPD the EPD official site)official site)

The EPD has a system called the Air Pollution The EPD has a system called the Air Pollution Index (API). All the data collected from the APMS Index (API). All the data collected from the APMS are checked using this system and is told to the are checked using this system and is told to the public through television and the internet.public through television and the internet.

The EPD has a system called the Air Pollution The EPD has a system called the Air Pollution Index (API). All the data collected from the APMS Index (API). All the data collected from the APMS are checked using this system and is told to the are checked using this system and is told to the public through television and the internet.public through television and the internet.

API 

Air Pollution

Level

Health Implications 

0 - 25 Low None expected.

26 - 50

Medium None expected for the general population.

51 - 100

HighAcute health effects are not expected but chronic effects may be observed if one is persistently exposed to such levels.

100 - 200

Very High

People with existing heart or respiratory illnesses may notice mild aggravation of their health conditions. Generally healthy individuals may also notice some discomfort.

201 - 500

Severe

People with existing heart or respiratory illnesses may experience significant aggravation of their symptoms. There may also be widespread symptoms in the healthy population (e.g. eye irritation, wheezing, coughing, phlegm and sore throats).

How can we stop it from getting How can we stop it from getting worse?worse?

How can we stop it from getting How can we stop it from getting worse?worse?

Do you want a foggy day Do you want a foggy day or a day with a blue sky?or a day with a blue sky?Do you want a foggy day Do you want a foggy day or a day with a blue sky?or a day with a blue sky?

To help, you should:To help, you should: use more public use more public transporttransport turn off electrical turn off electrical appliances when you appliances when you are not using them…are not using them…and you can do and you can do many other things. many other things.

To help, you should:To help, you should: use more public use more public transporttransport turn off electrical turn off electrical appliances when you appliances when you are not using them…are not using them…and you can do and you can do many other things. many other things.

What has the government done What has the government done to help us fight this problem?to help us fight this problem?

What has the government done What has the government done to help us fight this problem?to help us fight this problem?

The government has set up several laws to The government has set up several laws to tackle this problem. Examples are:tackle this problem. Examples are:

Idling ban – Drivers are not allowed to Idling ban – Drivers are not allowed to keep their engines on while waiting. keep their engines on while waiting.

Diesel ban – all diesel engines have now Diesel ban – all diesel engines have now been modified for less sulphur emissions.been modified for less sulphur emissions.

The government has set up several laws to The government has set up several laws to tackle this problem. Examples are:tackle this problem. Examples are:

Idling ban – Drivers are not allowed to Idling ban – Drivers are not allowed to keep their engines on while waiting. keep their engines on while waiting.

Diesel ban – all diesel engines have now Diesel ban – all diesel engines have now been modified for less sulphur emissions.been modified for less sulphur emissions.

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