Skin irritated by raindrops

I live in Tsuen Tak Gardens, Tsuen Wan, in the New Territories (off Castle Peak Road). This is in the same area as some industrial units where I believe there are businesses involved in textile production.

On several occasions, I have seen emissions from the units' low-level chimneys which contain what I assume to be coal and ash particles and which create pollution problems. On Monday, April 27, at around 8.30am, there was an emission of thick, white smoke. This plume of smoke moved in a northeasterly direction. At the same time it was raining heavily and I found that my skin was irritated by the raindrops that fell on me. I wonder if there was any connection between the irritation caused by the rain and the contents of this smoke emission.

I assume emission laws are strict in Hong Kong and that air quality is monitored on a daily basis. I hope that the relevant monitoring body will look into this matter.

KUMAR PALEKAR New Territories