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Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network results for 2006 announced today
The Environmental Protection Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EPD) and Guangdong Environmental Protection Bureau (GDEPB) announced today (April 24) the 2006 report of monitoring results of the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network, which covers last year's regional air pollution situation. The report is available at the GDEPB's website (http://www.gdepb.gov.cn) and EPD's website (http://www.epd.gov.hk).
Overall, the network operated smoothly during the reporting period. To ensure that air quality data from the monitoring stations are of a high degree of precision and accuracy, the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) activities of the network were carried out in accordance with the QA/QC Operating Procedures.
The Network measures the concentrations of major pollutants (i.e. sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and respirable suspended particulates). In general, the air quality was better in the coastal areas than in the central and northern region of the Pearl River Delta (PRD), which could be attributed to the relatively more favourable conditions for dispersion of pollutants in the coastal areas.
The overall concentrations of most pollutants were generally higher from January to March and from October to December, and reduced in June and July. Apart from heavier rainfall and higher mixing layer, the relatively clean maritime air stream prevailed in the PRD region under the influence of southern monsoon also accounts for a lower level of pollution in summer time. That notwithstanding, the monthly variations in the concentrations of pollutants may change from year to year. Long-term monitoring is thus required before a general pattern can be established.
Intermittent high level of pollutants exceeding Class 2 of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (applicable to general residential areas) was recorded in all monitoring locations of the network in 2006, which was mainly triggered by meteorological conditions unfavourable to pollutant dispersion.
In the long term, the monitoring results will help the two sides to carry out scientific analysis of the air quality trends in the PRD Region. The emissions reduction measures being pursued by the two sides now will have a positive impact on the regional air quality. We expect that after more data are recorded by the network, the two sides will be able to assess the impact and effectiveness of the measures scientifically.
The environmental monitoring authorities of the two sides will continue to monitor the changes in the regional air quality and regularly announce the latest monitoring results. The monitoring results for the first half of 2007 are expected to be available in October.
The Network is one of the major achievements of cooperation between the two sides in environmental protection. It comprises 16 monitoring stations, 13 of which are in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Zhongshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Shunde, Huiyang, Panyu and Conghua, and three in Tsuen Wan, Tung Chung and Tap Mun of Hong Kong. The network was commissioned on November 30, 2005. The Guangdong Provincial Environmental Protection Monitoring Centre and EPD are respectively responsible for the coordination, management and operation of the monitoring stations of the two sides.
Ends/Tuesday, April 24, 2007
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