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Press
Releases - 1997 (July - December)
High
APIs for the New Development Areas
The Environmental
Protection Department today (Tuesday) recorded the "unhealthy"
air pollution index (API) value of 109 for the new development
areas, including Islands, Southern, Sai Kung, Tuen Mun, Yuen
Long, Sha Tin, Tai Po and North districts.
"When
the index exceeds 100, air quality is generally unhealthy.
People suffering from asthma, lung or heart illnesses may
be adversely affected, and are advised to minimise physical
exercises, especially energetic or laborious outdoor activities,
until the air quality situation improves," Acting Assistant
Director of Environmental Protection(Air), Mr Arthur Chu said.
He said:
"The poor air quality we are now experiencing is due to ozone,
which is not directly emitted from pollution sources, but
formed by the reaction of air pollutants in the atmosphere
when under sunlight.
"Nitrogen
oxides and hydrocarbons, which are mostly emitted by motor
vehicles, are the main pollutants involved in the formation
of ozone. The calm and sunny weather over the last few days
has provided sufficient time and the necessary conditions
for the polluting chemicals in the atmosphere to form ozone,"
Mr Chu added.
The indices
for urban areas(including Central/Western, Wan Chai, Eastern,
Kowloon City, Sham Shui Po, Wong Tai Sin and Yau Tsim Mong
districts), and industrial areas (including Kwun Tong, Kwai
Tsing and Tsuen Wan districts), have also reached 87 and 97,
respectively.
The API
forecast for the territory tomorrow (Wednesday) is 85 for
the urban area, 85 for the industrial area and 85 for the
new development area.
Members
of the public can check the API readings on 2827 8541.
End/Tuesday,
August 19, 1997
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