Update | City swap: Hong Kong air pollution ‘serious’ as Beijing enjoys rare clear skies
Hong Kong witnessed its worst air pollution of the year on Wednesday - with half of the 15 monitoring stations recording "serious" levels of filth - on the same day that Beijing enjoyed rare blue skies.
Hong Kong yesterday witnessed its worst air pollution of the year – with half of the 15 monitoring stations recording “serious” levels of filth – on the same day that Beijing enjoyed rare blue skies.
At 6pm, six monitoring stations, including Central and Western, Sha Tin and Tung Chung, registered readings of 10+, the highest on the government’s air quality health index (AQHI).
Levels of pollutants measured at the roadside in Causeway Bay also hit 10+ on the index.
As residents struggled to see the opposite side of Victoria Harbour, the Environmental Protection Department said light winds from the north and northeast could not disperse the pollutants.
“A number of air-quality monitoring stations have reached higher-than-normal air pollution levels today,” the department conceded.
On another scale, the real-time air quality index, air quality in Hong Kong measured 216, meaning “very unhealthy”.
In comparison, Beijing had a break from its notoriously noxious air, recording a “moderate” AQI reading of just 57 as the capital experienced sunshine and clear skies.
Readings of PM2.5, respirable suspended particulates that can cause cancer, hit 193 in Causeway Bay, above the government’s limit of 75. The particulates are of 2.5 microns or less.
People with heart or respiratory conditions, children and the elderly were advised to avoid the outdoors.
Pollution levels eased off today as winds strengthened and became northeasterly.
At 9am, monitoring stations in 12 districts including Central, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin recorded a reading of between 4 and 5 on the government’s AQHI.
A reading of 4 to 6 represents a “moderate level” of health risk.
The index in Causeway Bay was 7, representing a “high” health risk. People with heart or respiratory illness were advised to reduce outdoor activity in the area.
Roadside pollution in Mong Kok and Central was “moderate”, according to the government’s index.
The Environmental Protection Department said it expected air pollution levels to continue to improve in the next couple of days as an air stream helps improve dispersion.
Additional reporting by Lai Ying-kit