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Press
Releases - 1998
Very
high Air Pollution Index to prevail
The Environmental
Protection Department today (Friday) recorded a "very
high" roadside Air Pollution Index (API) of 112 at the
Causeway Bay air quality monitoring station.
For the
general ambient stations, the APIs ranged from 58 to 80.
The Department
has expected the calm wind condition to persist for the coming
hours, and air pollution would later increase for the general
monitoring stations.
"The
API forecast for tomorrow is 75 to 105 for the general air
quality stations, and 85 to 110 for the roadside air quality
stations," the Principal Environmental Protection Officer,
Mr Leung Pak-ming said.
"When
the roadside API exceeds 100 and reaches the 'very high' band,
people with heart or respiratory illnesses should avoid prolonged
stay in roads and streets with heavy traffic. If it is necessary
to stay in such places, they should reduce physical exertion
as far as possible.
"If
the general ambient API exceeds 100 and reaches the 'very
high' band, people with existing heart or respirable illnesses
should reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities,"
he said.
"The
general air pollution in the Pearl River Delta Region should
be high because of the very still wind conditions. Locally,
nitrogen dioxide in vehicle emissions, particularly from diesel
vehicles, is also not dispersing sufficiently under still
wind. We therefore expect that the APIs both at the general
ambient and roadside stations would reach the 'very high'
band tomorrow," he added.
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/Friday,
December 18, 1998
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