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Press
Releases - 1997 (July - December)
High
APIs Persisted in the Territory
The air
pollution continued to be "unhealthy" today (Wednesday) in
some parts of the territory but the air quality is expected
to improve tomorrow.
The air
pollution index values recorded today were 108 for the industrial
area (including Kwun Tong, Kwai Tsing and Tsuen Wan districts),
91 for urban area (including Central/Western, Wan Chai, Eastern,
Kowloon City, Sham Shui Po, Wong Tai Sin and Yau Tsim Mong
districts) and 86 for the new development areas (including
Islands, Southern, Sai Kung, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Sha Tin,
Tai Po and North districts).
Deputy
Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Mike Stokoe, explained:"The
poor air quality is due to accumulation of the nitrogen dioxide
and respirable suspended particulates since late afternoon
yesterday. The very stagnant and calm wind conditions prevent
the dispersion of pollutants emitted or formed in the atmosphere
by chemical reactions.
"When
the index exceeds 100, it means air quality is unhealthy.
People suffering from asthma, lung or heart illnesses may
be adversely affected and are advised to reduce physical exercises
or laborious outdoor activities until air quality situation
improves.
"These
pollution incidents will not occur once we have succeeded
in reducing the emission from motor vehicles, so that Hong
Kong's Air Quality Objectives can be achieved."
He said
the air quality was expected to improve as the weather become
more cloudy, windy with heavy showers tomorrow.
"The API
forecast for the territory (Thursday) is 70 for the urban
area, 75 for the industrial area and 70 for the new development
area."
Members
of the public can check the API readings on tel 2827 8541.
End/Wednesday,
August 20, 1997
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