Hong Kong air pollution causes 3,000 deaths, costs billions annually
More than 150,000 people hospitalised with pollution-related illnesses last year, HKU survey shows
Air pollution caused more than 3,000 premature deaths and monetary loss of HK$39 billion last year to Hong Kong, according to a study by University of Hong Kong researchers.
Researchers from the school of public health developed an index in 2008 to provide real-time estimates for premature deaths, doctor visits, and days spent in hospital with illnesses associated with air pollution.
In their latest study, presented to the Legislative Council’s environmental affairs panel last Friday, they estimated that 3,069 people died prematurely last year due to air pollution and 151,300 were hospitalised for pollution-related illnesses.
The medical bills and the value of loss of productivity as a result was HK$39.4 billion, according to their estimates.
“Probably, 100 per cent of the population is exposed, at unacceptable levels, to this environmental hazard,” he said.