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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has reported that a number of air quality monitoring stations have reached a higher than normal air pollution level today (January 21). At noon today, the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) at all three roadside and some general stations reached 8 or above. The health risk category is "Very High".
Under the influence of a winter monsoon, the weather in Hong Kong today is dry with sunny periods and haze. The wind is light to moderate from north to northeast. Higher than normal levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulates have been recorded in the territory since this morning. The light wind also hinders the effective dispersion of air pollutants and promotes the formation of nitrogen dioxide at street level.
It is expected that the health risk category of some general and roadside stations may reach the "Serious" level later today.
According to the Observatory, the weather forecast will be mainly fine in the next couple of days. A relatively humid easterly airstream is expected to affect the coastal areas of Guangdong during the weekend. It is expected that the air pollution level will improve when dispersion gets better.
With a health risk category in the "Very High" range or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities to a minimum or avoid such activities. The general public is advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. As the health effects of air pollutants may vary for individuals, persons who are in doubt or experience discomfort should seek advice from health-care professionals. The public may visit the website of the Centre for Health Protection (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html) for more information on the health effects of air pollution and relevant health advice.
The Education Bureau (EDB) urges all schools to visit the EDB website for appropriate measures to safeguard students' health and to take note of changes in the index. The relevant hyperlink is as follows: www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities-guidelines/index.html .
At the "Very High" level, employers of outdoor workers performing heavy manual work are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees, such as reducing outdoor physical exertion and the time of their stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. At the "Serious" level, employers of all outdoor workers are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees. Members of the public can check the current AQHI readings at the EPD's website (www.aqhi.gov.hk/en.html) or by calling the hotline 2827 8541.
Ends/Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:36
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