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Very
high roadside API to prevail
The Environmental
Protection Department today (Friday) recorded a very high
roadside Air Pollution Index (API) of 105 at the Causeway
Bay air quality monitoring station.
Another roadside station at Central recorded an API of 82.
For the
general ambient stations, the APIs ranged from 44 to 62.
It is
expected that the very high roadside APIs will persist tomorrow
(Saturday). The forecast for tomorrow is 80 to 105 for the
roadside and 45 to 70 for the general air quality stations.
"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," Senior Environmental Protection
Officer, Mr Leung Wah-hing said.
"Nitrogen
dioxide in vehicle emissions, particularly from diesel vehicles,
is not dispersing sufficiently. Air pollution at the urban
roadside with very heavy traffic and surrounded by high-rise
buildings has thus increased and reached the 'very high' band,"
he added.
Members
of the public can check the API readings for different locations
on 2827 8541 or from EPD's website at http://www.info.gov.hk/epd/.
End/Friday,
May 7, 1999
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