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Very
high roadside API forecasted to persist tomorrow
The Environmental
Protection Department today (Wednesday) recorded a roadside
Air Pollution Index (API) of 114 at the Central air quality
monitoring station.
Roadside stations at Causeway Bay and Mong Kok recorded APIs
of 97 and 96 respectively.
For the
general ambient stations, the API ranged from 58 to 82.
When the
roadside API exceeds 100 and reaches the "very high"
band, people with heart or respiratory illnesses should avoid
prolonged stay in roads and streets with heavy traffic, Principal
Environmental Protection Officer, Mr Leung Pak-ming said.
"If
it is necessary to stay in such places, they should reduce
physical exertion as far as possible," he said.
"Nitrogen
dioxide in vehicle emissions, particularly from diesel vehicles,
is not dispersing sufficiently under the very still wind conditions.
Air pollution at the urban roadside with very heavy traffic
and surrounded by high-rise buildings has thus escalated and
reached the 'very high' band."
Mr Leung
said the situation was expected to persist tomorrow (Thursday).
"The
API forecast for tomorrow is 55 to 80 for the general air
quality monitoring stations and 90 to 105 for the roadside
air quality monitoring stations," he said.
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/Wednesday,
January 6, 1999
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