Occupy Central protesters face health risk as pollution alert raised in city

Pepper spray aside, Occupy Central protesters could be facing a health risk from air pollution by remaining out on the streets.

While the threat had been low due to less traffic since the demonstrations began, the Environmental Protection Department yesterday changed its health risk forecast to "high" and "very high" in the city.

The fall in air quality is being caused by different sources of pollution, said Kwong Sum-yin, chief executive officer of Clean Air Network. "It's the high concentration of ozone that has worsened the air quality of the whole city, spreading from Tung Chung and Yuen Long to other urban districts," Kwong said. This is caused by regional pollution from the Pearl River Delta.

The department said: "The weather on the coast of Guangdong and the Pearl River Delta, including Hong Kong, is fine and hot. The wind is light in the territory and the intense sunshine will enhance photochemical smog activities and the formation of ozone."

The department added that light winds in the city hindered dispersal of pollutants at street level, leading to a higher than normal pollution level.

"The general public is advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic," it said.