Press Releases

Very high roadside API to prevail

The Environmental Protection Department today (Friday) recorded a very high roadside Air Pollution Index (API) of 105 at the Causeway Bay air quality monitoring station.
Another roadside station at Central recorded an API of 82.

For the general ambient stations, the APIs ranged from 44 to 62.

It is expected that the very high roadside APIs will persist tomorrow (Saturday). The forecast for tomorrow is 80 to 105 for the roadside and 45 to 70 for the general air quality stations.

"People with heart or respiratory illnesses should avoid prolonged stay in roads and streets with heavy traffic. If it is necessary to stay in such places, they should reduce physical exertion as far as possible," Senior Environmental Protection Officer, Mr Leung Wah-hing said.

"Nitrogen dioxide in vehicle emissions, particularly from diesel vehicles, is not dispersing sufficiently. Air pollution at the urban roadside with very heavy traffic and surrounded by high-rise buildings has thus increased and reached the 'very high' band," he added.

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/Friday, May 7, 1999


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