Press Releases

Roadside API expected to improve tomorrow

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (Sunday) recorded a roadside Air Pollution Index (API) of 103 at the Causeway Bay air quality monitoring station.
Another roadside station at Central recorded an API of 65 and the one at Mong Kok recorded 79.

For the general ambient stations, the APIs ranged from 58 to 64.

"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.

"Nitrogen dioxide in vehicle emissions, particularly that from diesel vehicles, is not dispersing sufficiently at the urban roadside with very heavy traffic and surrounded by high-rise buildings. Air pollution has thus escalated and reached the 'very high' band," he said.

Mr Leung said the situation was expected to improve tomorrow (Monday).

"The API forecast for tomorrow is 50 to 60 for the general air quality stations and 65 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/Sunday, February 14, 1999

 

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