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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced that an additional general air quality monitoring station (AQMS) started operation in Tseung Kwan O today (March 16), to provide the public with a local Air Quality Health Index and detailed air quality information.
The new AQMS is located on the rooftop of Tseung Kwan O Sports Centre in Tseung Kwan O town centre, which is surrounded by populous areas. The monitoring data will reflect the air quality in the district. The EPD earlier consulted the Sai Kung District Council on the proposed site of the new AQMS, and was supported by the Council Members.
An EPD spokesman said, "With the opening of the new AQMS, the number of EPD air quality monitoring stations has been increased to 16, comprising 13 general stations and three roadside stations for measuring concentrations of major air pollutants at the ambient and roadside levels respectively. Major air pollutants being measured include respirable suspended particles (PM10), fine suspended particles (PM2.5), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3). In addition to providing real-time and forecast air quality information to the public, the data collected can also help us formulate air quality management policies and review their effectiveness."
The EPD conducts annual reviews on the air quality monitoring network in Hong Kong according to the established mechanism and international guidelines in order to determine its effectiveness, and to see whether it is necessary to set up any additional AQMS or cover new monitoring parameters.
Ends/Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:30
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