Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Email this article news.gov.hk
EPD commences hourly reporting of real time PM2.5 concentrations
**************************************************

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (March 8) commenced the regular reporting in real time of fine suspended particulates (also known as PM2.5). The data will reveal the hourly concentrations of PM2.5 as measured by the EPD's air quality monitoring network, which comprises 11 general stations and three roadside stations.

     A spokesman for the EPD said, "To better understand the situation with regard to PM2.5 in Hong Kong, the EPD has been monitoring the pollutant since 1999 at three of its general air monitoring stations ¡V those at Tap Mun, Tung Chung and Tsuen Wan ¡V as well as at the Central roadside station. The Yuen Long general station was later added in 2005. The monitoring results show that the level of PM2.5 in Hong Kong has reduced by 17 per cent from 2005 to 2011, thanks to the control measures jointly implemented by the Hong Kong and Guangdong Governments in recent years. We will continue to collaborate with the Guangdong Provincial Government on emission reduction measures to further reduce the levels of particulates and other pollutants in Hong Kong.

     "In anticipation of the inclusion of PM2.5 as a new criteria pollutant in the proposed new Air Quality Objectives (AQOs), we have progressively acquired new PM2.5 monitors to extend continuous PM2.5 measurements to all air quality monitoring stations. The installation and testing of the new PM2.5 monitors has now been completed," the spokesman said.

     To access the real time PM2.5 concentration data recorded at the air quality monitoring stations, please visit the EPD website at (For English version) www.epd-asg.gov.hk/english/24pollu_fsp/24pc_fsp.html (For Chinese version) www.epd-asg.gov.hk/tc_chi/24pollu_fsp/24pc_fsp.html .

Ends/Thursday, March 8, 2012
Issued at HKT 10:01

NNNN

Print this page