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Roadside
API expected to improve tomorrow
The Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) today (Saturday) recorded a roadside
Air Pollution Index (API) of 101 at the Causeway Bay air quality
monitoring station.
Another roadside station at Central recorded an API of 89
and the one at Mong Kok recorded 96.
For the
general ambient stations, the APIs ranged from 47 to 75.
"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,"Senior
Environmental Protection Officer, Mr Leung Wah-hing 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 and air pollution
at the urban roadside with very heavy traffic and surrounded
by high-rise buildings has thus escalated and reached the
'very high' band," he said.
Mr Leung
said that the situation is expected to improve tomorrow (Sunday).
"The
API forecast for tomorrow is 45 to 70 for the roadside air
quality stations and 75 to 95 for the general air quality
stations," he said.
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/Saturday,
May 8, 1999
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