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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Department of Environmental Protection of Guangdong Province (GDEPD) today (April 28) released a report on the monitoring results of four major air pollutants (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and respirable suspended particulates) measured by the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network in 2010. The report, which covers the air quality conditions in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region (including the HKSAR and PRD Economic Zone) for the full year of 2010, is available at both the GDEPD's website (www.gdepb.gov.cn) and EPD's website (www.epd.gov.hk).
Since the Network began operating in 2006, the average annual concentrations of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and respirable suspended particulates in the region have decreased by 47%, 7% and 14% respectively in 2010 as compared to the 2006 levels. Moreover, while the average annual concentration level of nitrogen dioxide remained more or less the same as compared to the 2009 level, the average annual concentration levels of sulphur dioxide, respirable suspended particulates and ozone decreased by 14%, 7% and 5% respectively amid continuing economic growth in the PRD region last year. These reductions are attributable to implementation of enhanced emission reduction measures by both sides. Last year Hong Kong tightened the statutory specifications for motor vehicle fuels to Euro V standards and provided financial subsidies to encourage early replacement of Euro II diesel commercial vehicles. In addition, the local power companies have been installing in phases desalinisation and nitrification systems. As for Ganging, the key measures implemented include: accomplishing installation of desalinisation systems for power plants and closing down small power generating units; completing installation of nitrification systems for power plants with a total capacity of 5,382 MW; completing the installation of vapour recovery systems at petrol filling stations, oil depots and tanker trucks in the PROD region; implementing new pollutant emission standards for boilers, the cement industry, furniture manufacturing industry, printing industry, shoe-making industry and surface coating of automobile manufacturing industry; tightening the emission standards for light duty petrol vehicles and gas vehicles in the PROD region to National IV standards; and starting to supply motor petrol at the National IV standard, etc.
Overall, 77% of the Regional Air Quality Index as recorded by the Network in 2010 were within Grade II, meaning the pollutant concentrations were within Class 2 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAGS - applicable to general residential areas). The overall regional air quality shows further improvement compared to that in 2009.
According to the 2010 monitoring results, the overall concentrations of most pollutants were generally higher in the winter months (e.g. January to March and October to December) while lower concentration levels were recorded in the summer months (e.g. June to August). A similar pattern was recorded last year. Geographically, air quality was better in the coastal areas than the central and north-west areas of the region, probably as a result of more favourable conditions for dispersion of pollutants in the former. This situation is in line with observations in previous years.
The Network is one of the major achievements in cooperation between the two sides in environmental protection. It comprises 16 automatic ambient monitoring stations scattered over the region, 13 of which are in the PROD Economic Zone, i.e. Guangzhou, Shannen, Huhs, Fushun, Tangshan, Fuzhou, Tongan, Hangmen, Hoking, Shined, Hui yang, Pansy and Conga, while three are in Stun Wan, Tung Chung and Tap Mun in Hong Kong. The Ganging Provincial Environmental Monitoring Centre and EDP are respectively responsible for the coordination, management and operation of the monitoring stations of the two sides.
During the reporting period, the Network 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 regional air quality and regularly announce the latest monitoring results. The monitoring results for the first half of 2011 are expected to be available in October.
Ends/Thursday, April 28, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:01
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