Smog from northern mainland ‘not affecting’ Hong Kong, expert claims
Expert claims there is ‘no connection’ between the high levels of harmful air pollution seen recently on the mainland and those in the city
It is unlikely the toxic smog that has blanketed swathes of northern China for weeks has affected the Pearl River Delta region significantly, an expert has claimed.
Data from the University of Science and Technology’s Atmospheric and Environmental Database obtained by the Post for Sunday evening – when the air quality health index hit its highest recent levels – suggested that most of the pollutants were generated locally and regionally.
“According to our database, there is no sign of connection between the very high PM2.5 concentration in northern China and that in Hong Kong,” Professor Jimmy Fung Chi-hung, who heads the university’s environment division, said.
Some media reports over the past few weeks have raised questions as to whether PM2.5 – the tiny particles most hazardous to health – could drift to Hong Kong with the arrival of monsoon winds from the northeast.
Environmental Protection Department assistant director of air policy Mok Wai-chuen last week said “it could not be ruled out” but “was of low possibility” that the smog from the mainland would affect Hong Kong. PM2.5 is a major contributor to smog.