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Very
high roadside API to prevail
The Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) today (Saturday) recorded a roadside
Air Pollution Index (API) of 109 at the Causeway Bay air quality
monitoring station.
Another roadside station at Central recorded an API of 84
and the one at Mong Kok recorded 68.
For the
general ambient stations, the APIs ranged from 60 to 70.
"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.
"Nitrogen
dioxide in vehicle emissions, particularly that from diesel
vehicles, is not dispersing sufficiently at the urban roadside
with very heavy traffic and surrounded by high-rise buildings.
Air pollution has thus escalated and reached the 'very high'
band," he said.
Mr Leung
said the situation was expected to persist tomorrow (Sunday).
"The
API forecast for tomorrow is 55 to 80 for the general air
quality stations and 85 to 105 for the roadside air quality
stations."
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/Saturday,
January 16, 1999
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