Hong Kong urged to improve ventilation and use cleaner vehicles to combat cancer threat from pollution
Experts suggest remedies for the city after study highlights health risk from tiny airborne particles
A better ventilated city, cleaner vehicles and more pedestrianised areas are among the suggestions by experts to minimise exposure to pollutants after a study confirmed a link between tiny particles in the air and a higher risk of death from multiple cancers.
They also advised the public to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The study by the University of Hong Kong and the University of Birmingham revealed that the risk of dying from any cancer rose by 22 per cent for every 10 micrograms per cubic metre of increased exposure to PM2.5 – the fine airborne particulates that are small enough to enter the lungs.
According to Clean Air Network, PM2.5 concentrations were highest in Yuen Long and Causeway last year, with annual average readings clocking in at 30 and 37 micrograms per cubic metre of air respectively.
The reading in Central from 7pm to 8pm reached 51 – more than double the World Health Organisation limit of 25.
Other districts with consistently high levels included Tuen Mun, Kwun Tong and Kwai Chung.