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Press
Releases - 1998
High
APIs for the Roadside with Heavy Traffic
The Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) today (Saturday) recorded the
first "very high" roadside air pollution index (API) of 106
since its introduction on June 15, 1998.
The Principal
Environmental Protection Officer, Mr Pang Sik-wing said: "This
air pollution level was observed at the Causeway Bay Roadside
Air Quality Station, which represents the urban roadside in
busy commercial area with very heavy traffic and surrounded
by many tall buildings. For other places the air pollution
level was in the 'medium' and 'high' API band."
"The
poor air quality at the roadside was caused by nitrogen dioxide.
It comes mainly from motor vehicles, in particular the diesel
vehicles in our urban areas," he explained.
A roadside
API exceeding 100 indicates that the air quality close to
vehicle emission sources in busy streets and roads is unhealthy.
"It is
less relevant to the public as they spend only a short period
of time in roads and streets. Special precautionary action
is therefore in general not necessary.
"However,
persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised
to avoid prolonged stay in areas with heavy traffic. If it
is necessary to stay in these streets or roads, they are advised
to minimise physical exercise, especially energetic or laborious
outdoor activities," Mr Pang said.
The index
recorded at the Mong Kok Roadside Station, which represented
the air quality at roadside with less heavy traffic and less
tall buildings in the vicinity, was 72.
The APIs
for the eight general air quality stations were "high", ranging
from 56 to 80.
The API
forecast for tomorrow (Sunday) is 65 to 80 for the general
air quality stations and 75 to 90 for the roadside air quality
stations.
Members
of the public can check the API readings on 2827 8541 or from
EPD's website at http://www.info.gov.hk/epd/.
End/Saturday,
September 19, 1998
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