Air pollution blankets Hong Kong, with nitrogen dioxide and ozone mass causing serious health risk
Windless conditions and baking heat result in haze over region, with relief coming only next week
A blanket of haze hung over Hong Kong for most of Saturday, with 14 of 16 air quality monitoring stations reaching the highest level of 10+ on the pollution index at 5pm, indicating a “serious” health risk.
The stations in Tai Po and Tung Chung recorded a 10, meaning a “very high” health risk. The situation improved slightly in the evening, with 12 stations having an index of 8 to 9, also a “very high” health risk and the remaining stations showing readings of 5 to 7.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD), in a midday warning on Saturday, said pollution levels in the air would remain “higher than normal” until stronger winds next week bring relief.
“Higher than normal levels of nitrogen dioxide and ozone have been recorded since this morning,” the department said.
“Hong Kong is being affected by an air mass with higher background pollutant concentrations. In addition, the light wind hinders effective dispersion of air pollutants.”
The weather has been hot with light winds and sunny periods recently but showers are expected in the coming days. Winds are also likely to strengthen.