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Very
high roadside API to prevail
The Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) today (Monday) recorded a roadside
Air Pollution Index (API) of 113 at the Causeway Bay air quality
monitoring station.
This is the third consecutive day that EPD recorded a very
high API exceeding 100 at roadside.
Another
roadside station at Central recorded an API of 76 and the
one at Mong Kok recorded 68.
For the
general ambient stations, the APIs ranged from 41 to 73.
"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," Acting
Principal Environmental Protection Officer, Mr Yeung Tseung-wing
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 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 explained.
Mr Yeung
said the situation was expected to persist tomorrow.
"The
API forecast for tomorrow (Tuesday) is 55 to 70 for the general
air quality stations and 65 to 105 for the roadside air quality
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/Monday,
January 18, 1999
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