Pollution blankets Hong Kong on Wednesday, with air quality hitting very unhealthy levels in some parts
The environmental authority said an airstream was transporting pollutants to the territory, but rain and cloudier weather in the coming days might lower pollution levels.
Air pollution blanketed multiple areas of Hong Kong on Wednesday, with 14 of 16 air quality monitoring stations showing a “high” to “very high” health risk in the early afternoon, prompting the environmental authority to urge old people and children to stay indoors.
The warning came barely a day after official statistics indicated that Hongkongers endured nearly twice the number of days of unhealthy air last year compared with the previous year.
By 3pm on Wednesday, all but two air quality monitoring stations were showing readings of 7 to 10 on the 11-tier Air Quality Health Index.
Eastern District station had a reading of 6 while Tap Mun station is temporarily closed.
Several stations were forecast to have readings of 10+ or the “serious” health risk level, with ambient air readings at six – Yuen Long, Mong Kok, Tuen Mun, Tung Chung, Kwai Chung and Tsuen Wan – hitting that level as at 5pm.
At levels of “very high” or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce or avoid physical exertion and outdoor activities.
In a statement, the Environmental Protection Department said it was detecting higher than normal levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter across the territory.
It cited an airstream affecting Hong Kong transporting pollutants to the territory, while light north-westerly winds hindered their dispersal. However, it said it expected cloudier weather and some rain patches in the next couple of days, which would help lower pollution levels.