Bad air days: increased pollution in Hong Kong’s Eastern districts still better than west despite improvements

Eastern parts of Hong Kong recorded more hours of poor air quality last year compared to 2014, despite a continuing improvement of general air quality in the city.

While there was a drop in several types of air pollutants, the level of ozone – one of the four major items measured by local air quality monitoring stations – remained high, according to the preliminary annual air quality data on last year released by the Environmental Protection Department.

READ MORE: Serious pollution levels hit Hong Kong, especially in western New Territories

Green groups were not happy with the drop in pollutants and said interdepartmental cooperation should be strengthened.

According to the department, Eastern District had 213 hours when the air quality health index was high, very high or serious last year, a 31 per cent increase from the previous year. A higher level indicates a greater health risk to individuals from air pollution.

Central and Western and Tai Po also experienced more hours of poor air quality, recording a 12 per cent and 7 per cent increase respectively.

“In 2015, there were days when regional air pollution was high, yet the prevailing wind from the north was more easterly. Eastern parts of Hong Kong were therefore more affected by the air pollutants,” said Mok Wai-chuen, assistant director of environmental protection.

Air pollution in the east, however, was still less severe than in the west. Tuen Mun, Tung Chung and Yuen Long topped the chart for air pollution, despite a general drop in the number of hours of poor air quality.