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Press
Releases - 1998
API
forecasted to improve tomorrow
The Environmental
Protection Department today (Tuesday) recorded a roadside
Air Pollution Index (API) of 104 at the Causeway Bay air quality
monitoring station.
Another
roadside station at Mong Kok recorded an API of 77.
For the
general ambient stations, the API ranged from 59 to 76.
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, Principal
Environmental Protection Officer, Mr Leung Pak-ming said.
"If
it is necessary to stay in such places, they should reduce
physical exertion as far as possible," he said.
However,
Mr Leung said there was no need for the general public to
take any special measure.
He said
that since the nitrogen dioxide in vehicle emissions, particularly
from diesel vehicles, was not dispersing sufficiently under
the very still wind conditions, air pollution at the urban
roadside with very heavy traffic and surrounded by high-rise
buildings has thus risen and reached the "very high"
band.
Mr Leung
said the situation was expected to improve tomorrow (Wednesday).
"The
weather forecast has expected the wind to become fresh overnight.
This would help nitrogen dioxide to disperse more readily
and we hope air quality would be better tomorrow.
"The
API forecast for tomorrow is 60 to 80 for the general air
quality stations and 75 to 95 for the roadside air quality
stations," he said.
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/Tuesday,
December 29, 1998
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