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Press Release
Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network results for the first half of 2007 announced today
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Environmental Protection Bureau of Guangdong Province (GDEPB) announced today (October 25) the report on the monitoring results of the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network (Network), which covers the period between January and June 2007. The report is available at both the GDEPB’s website and EPD’s website.
The Network measures the concentrations of four major pollutants (i.e. sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and respirable suspended particulates). In general, air quality was better in the coastal areas than in the central and northern region of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in the first half of 2007, which could be attributed to the relatively more favourable conditions for dispersion of pollutants in the former.
The overall concentrations of most pollutants were generally higher in the winter months (e.g. January). They were reduced as summer approached (e.g. June) . 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 the reporting period, 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 will make a positive impact on the regional air quality. We expect that after more Network data are available, the two sides will be able to assess the impact and effectiveness of the measures scientifically.
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 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 whole year 2007 are expected to be available in April 2008.
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 Guangdong province, i.e. Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Zhongshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Shunde, Huiyang, Panyu and Conghua, and three are 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/Thursday, October 25, 2007
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