Hong Kong pollution reaches highest level on air index as smog envelops city
PUBLISHED : Friday, 19 September, 2014, 1:22pm
UPDATED : Friday, 19 September, 2014, 2:29pm
James Griffiths [email protected]
The sun rises as a layer of haze hangs between skyscrapers and over the Hong Kong skyline. Photo: AFP
Hongkongers awoke to a hazy sky on Friday as roadside pollution soared to dangerous levels.
As of 1pm, all 15 monitoring stations operated by the Environmental Protection Department were recording “high” or “very high” levels of pollution. Six monitoring stations, including a roadside station in Central, recorded "serious" pollution, the most severe category.
Health officials advise that members of the public reduce the amount of time they spend outside, particularly in areas of heavy traffic, when the pollution level is “very high”.
Employers of outdoor workers are also advised to take appropriate procedures to reduce the risk to their employees.
The EPD last year replaced its old pollution index called API with the air quality health index, which calculates the hospital admission risks brought about by air pollutants. The AQHI index has five categories from “low”, “high” and “very high” to “serious”.
Air quality measurements for Hong Kong over the past five days, as of 1pm Friday. Photo: AQICN.org
AQICN.org, which monitors air quality in cities around the world, recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 163 for Hong Kong as a whole on Friday morning, with Mong Kok, Kwun Tong and Central particularly polluted.
The last time the AQHI monitoring stations hit “serious” was on June 8 – which was Hong Kong’s smoggiest day of the year. All but two monitoring stations notched readings of 10+, the highest level on the index, as a trough of low pressure prevented wind and air from dispersing pollutants.
A 10+ level triggers a warning from the EPD for people with heart or respiratory ailments to avoid outdoor activities, especially in congested areas.
Hazy views can be seen all over Hong Kong. Photo: Sam Tsang
