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API
expected to improve tomorrow
The Environmental
Protection Department today (Wednesday) recorded a roadside
Air Pollution Index (API) of 101 at the Causeway Bay air quality
monitoring station and 115 at the Central station.
This is the fifth consecutive day that EPD recorded a very
high API exceeding 100 at roadside.
Another
roadside station at Mong Kok recorded an API of 89.
For the
general ambient stations, the APIs ranged from 45 to 113,
with Kwai Chung and Yuen Long stations exceeding 100 and measured
at 110 and 113 respectively.
This is
the second consecutive day that a very high API exceeding
100 was recorded at the general stations.
"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.
"When
the general ambient API exceeds 100 and reaches the 'very
high' band, people with existing heart or respiratory illnesses
should reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities,"
he said.
Because
of the calm wind conditions, nitrogen dioxide from vehicle
emissions, particularly from diesel vehicles, was not dispersing
sufficiently at urban roadside locations with very heavy traffic
and surrounded by high-rise buildings, leading to the 'very
high' Roadside API.
The unfavourable
meteorological conditions also led to the accumulation of
respirable suspended particulates in the lower atmosphere,
of which diesel vehicles are again a major source. Very high
levels of respirable suspended particulates were therefore
measured at some of the general air quality monitoring stations.
Mr Yeung
said: "However, northeasterly winds started to pick up
early this morning. As a result, the pollution levels are
now reducing. The air quality is expected to improve further
tomorrow (Thursday) when the territory is to be influenced
by the prevalent northeasterly winds.
"The
API forecast for tomorrow is 40 to 80 for the general air
quality stations and 70 to 90 for the roadside air quality
stations."
Members
of the public can check the API readings for different locations
on 2827 8541 or from EPD's website at http://www.info.gov.hk/epd/.
End/Wednesday,
January 20, 1999
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