Air Quality in Hong Kong

By: Ruhi Shah 8G

Air Quality of Hong Kong

The Air Quality of Hong Kong is higher than the expected level. The Air Quality level right now, in Hong Kong, is from medium-high. The contributing pollutant is Nitrogen Dioxide (NOx/NO2 ).

The causes of Air PollutionThe main causes of air pollution in

Hong Kong are:

• Factories

• Power stations

• Construction sites

• Lots of Vehicles: on road, in air and on water.

These are the things that make our

air quality worse!

Where does the Pollution come from?

53% of the year, Hong Kong’s polluted air

comes from local sources. Other times of the

year, the pollution comes from regional

sources like ones in Guangdong, when the

pollution levels are higher. Overall more dirty

air comes from regional sources.

Changes in Air QualityThe pollution levels are higher in the

morning & afternoon than they are at night

because there are more activities at this

time. Also in the winter the air is worse than

in the summer. This is because the weather

traps the pollutants.

Average Pollution

It is said that Hong Kong’s Air Quality has

become worse in the last 15 years. This is

wrong because the EPD’s averages in 1998

were about 44% and 63%. These are lower

values than the ones measured before in

1997 and 1996.

What can we do?

To save Hong Kong from the dirty air we can:

• Choose public transport instead of private

• Switch off electrical appliances when not in use

• Use les plastic bags

• RECYCLE

• Change a light

• Plant a tree (in some cases)

What are the bad causes that bad Air Quality can cause?

• 412 infants die every year in Hong Kong

• Leads to ‘red-alert’ days – extreme hotness

• Asthma and respiratory illnesses

• Lung damage

• Likely illnesses for youth and the elderly

• We have to breathe in filthy and unclean air.