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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Environmental Protection Bureau of the Guangdong Province (GDEPB) today (April 22) announced the report on the monitoring results of four major air pollutants (i.e. sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and respirable suspended particulates) measured by the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network (Network) for 2008.
The report, which covers the air quality conditions in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) Region (including HKSAR and PRD Economic Zone) for the full year of 2008, is available on both the GDEPB's website (www.gdepb.gov.cn) and EPD's website (www.epd.gov.hk).
In general, variations in the overall concentrations of pollutants throughout the year resembled past patterns. The overall concentrations of most pollutants were generally lower in the summer (June to August), while higher concentration levels were recorded in the winter months (January to March and from October to December). Apart from heavier rainfall and higher mixing layer, the relatively clean maritime air stream prevailed in the PRD region under the influence of southern monsoon also accounts for a lower level of pollution in summer time. Geographically, air quality was better in the coastal areas than the central and northern areas of the region, most probably as a result of relatively more favourable conditions for dispersion of pollutants in the former.
Notwithstanding the continuing growth of the Gross Domestic Product in the PRD Region last year, the average annual concentration of sulphur dioxide and respirable suspended particulates in the region decreased by 19% and 11% respectively as compared to the 2007 levels. These reductions are attributable to implementation of enhanced emission reduction measures (the completion of installation of desulphurisation systems at thermal power plants) and a strengthening in control on vehicle source emissions (progressive supply of National III standard motor fuel) in the PRD Economic Zone. Overall, the Regional Air Quality Index as recorded by the Network was at Grade I or II for 71% of the time in 2008, meaning the pollutant concentrations were within Class 2 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Intermittent high level of pollutants exceeding Class 2 NAAQS (applicable to general residential areas) was recorded in all monitoring locations of the Network in the reporting period, which was mainly triggered by meteorological conditions unfavourable to pollutant dispersion. Both Hong Kong and Guangdong governments are committed to enhancing emission reduction efforts, and expediting implementation of agreed control measures with a view to further improving the regional air quality.
The Network is one of the major achievements of co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong in environmental protection. It comprises 16 automatic ambient monitoring stations scattering over the region, 13 of which are in the PRD Economic Zone - Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Zhongshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Shunde, Huiyang, Panyu and Conghua - and three are in Tsuen Wan, Tung Chung and Tap Mun of Hong Kong. The Guangdong Provincial Environmental Monitoring Centre and EPD are respectively responsible for the co-ordination, management and operation of the monitoring stations of the two sides. During the reporting period, the Network had operated smoothly in accordance with the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Operating Procedures, which ensure that air quality data from the monitoring stations are of a high degree of precision and accuracy.
The environmental monitoring authorities of the two sides will continue to monitor the regional air quality and regularly announce the latest monitoring results. The monitoring results for the first half of 2009 are expected to be available in October.
Ends/Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:21
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