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Press
Releases - 1998
Very
high air pollution index recorded today
The Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) today (Monday) recorded "very
high" roadside air pollution index (API) of 135 at Causeway
Bay.
"The
poor roadside air quality recorded at Causeway Bay was caused
by nitrogen dioxide. The moderate northerly wind has brought
a background ozone level to Hong Kong. It enhanced the oxidation
of nitric oxide emitted from diesel vehicles into nitrogen
dioxide," explained Mr Tse Chin-wan, Assistant Director of
Environmental Protection.
The Causeway
Bay Roadside Air Quality Station represents the urban roadside
in busy commercial area with very heavy traffic and surrounded
by many tall buildings. For other places, including roadsides
with less traffic, the air pollution level was in "high" API
band."
The index
recorded at the Mong Kok Roadside Station, which represented
the air quality at roadside with less heavy traffic and less
tall buildings in the vicinity, was 95.
The APIs
for the eight general air quality stations were "high", ranging
from 65 to 83. The pollution has also caused a generally poor
visibility despite the sunny weather because of photochemical
reactions.
"This
air pollution level should not be cause of concern for the
general public. However, persons with existing heart or respiratory
illnesses are advised to avoid prolonged stay in areas with
heavy traffic. If it is necessary to stay in these streets
or roads, they are advised to minimise physical exercise,
especially energetic or laborious outdoor activities," Mr
Tse said.
The API
forecast for tomorrow (Tuesday) is 65-85 for the general air
quality stations and 90-120 for the roadside air quality stations.
"As similar
weather condition will persist for some time, it is likely
that the pollution will persist for one to two days or even
longer. We would keep a close monitoring of the situation
and would update the public if there is any significant change
of our air pollution levels," said Mr Tse.
Members
of the public can check the API readings on 2827 8541 or from
EPD's website at http://www.info.gov.hk/epd/.
End/Monday,
September 21, 1998
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