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Press
Releases - 1998
High
APIs for urban and industrial areas expected
The Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) made a forecast this morning that
the air pollution index (API) value of today (Friday) would
be 115 for the urban area, 115 for the industrial area and
90 for the new development area.
"Due
to the persistent low wind condition, the levels of nitrogen
dioxide and respirable suspended particulates started to accumulate
as from last evening and did not disperse away. The air pollution
is building up," a Principal Environmental Protection Officer,
Mr Pang Sik-wing, said.
"The
air quality today will likely be unhealthy particularly in
the urban and industrial areas. People suffering from asthma,
lung or heart illnesses may be adversely affected, and are
advised to minimise physical exercise, especially energetic
or laborious outdoor activities," he said.
Urban
area includes Central/Western, Wan Chai, Eastern, Kowloon
City, Sham Shui Po, Wong Tai Sin and Yau Tsim Mong districts
while industrial area includes Kwun Tong, Kwai Tsing and Tsuen
Wan districts.
Nitrogen
dioxide and respirable particulates mainly come from motor
vehicles, in particular diesel vehicles in urban areas.
EPD will
issue at 4 pm the measured APIs for today and the forecast
for tomorrow (Saturday).
Members
of the public can check the API readings on 2827 8541.
End/Friday,
April 17, 1998
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