|
Press Release
Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network: First report of monitoring results 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 (October 31) the first report of monitoring results of the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network, which covers the regional air pollution situation for the period between December 2005 and June 2006. The report is available at the GDEPB's website (http://www.gdepb.gov.cn) and EPD's website (http://www.epd.gov.hk).
During the reporting period, the network was generally in smooth operation. To ensure that air quality data from the monitoring stations are of a high degree of precision and accuracy, the QA/QC activities of the Network were carried out in accordance with the QA/QC Operating Procedures.
The Network records the concentrations of major pollutants (i.e. sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and respirable suspended particulates). The overall concentrations of most pollutants were generally higher in winter, and reduced in June as summer approached. The overall concentrations of pollutants were fairly high in March, which could be attributed to the frequent occurrence of relatively stagnant air stream during the month. 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 concluded.
In the long term, the monitoring results will help the two sides to carry out scientific analysis of the air quality trends in the Pearl River Delta 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 year 2006 are expected to be available in April 2007.
The network is one of the major achievements of cooperation between the two sides in environmental protection. The network 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 last year. 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, October 31, 2006
|
