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The Marine Department on Monday said smog and haze had reduced visibility to two nautical miles, or about 3.7km. Photo: Nora Tam

Hong Kong’s air pollution expected to hit ‘serious’ health risk level for next two days – further complicating National Day

  • Index at three monitoring stations reaches ‘serious’ level, with remaining 10 stations at ‘very high’– relief expected this weekend
  • Recent sunshine has caused ozone and other particulates to form quickly over the Pearl River Delta

Air pollution is likely to pose a serious health risk for the next two days with hot weather and wind expected to blanket Hong Kong in heavy smog, the city’s environmental watchdog said on Monday.

The Air Quality Health Index has been “very high” since Thursday, according to the Environmental Protection Department, but recent sunshine has caused ozone and other particulates to form quickly over the Pearl River Delta.

High levels of ozone have led to the formation of nitrogen dioxide, increasing the chances of respiratory problems, particularly in urban areas, the department said. The smog warning could further complicate National Day on Tuesday, when a number of outdoor rallies in support of, and opposition to, the government are planned.

Air pollutants cause more inflammation and swelling of the airways leading to more airflow obstructions
Professor David Hui, an expert in respiratory medicine at Chinese University
The Air Quality Health Index is a scale of 1 to 10 and 10+, with five health risk categories: low, moderate, high, very high and serious. The system is used to alert the public to short-term health risks of air pollution.

“With a health risk category in the ‘very high’ range or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities to a minimum or avoid such activities,” the department said in a statement.

At 2pm on Monday, the index at three of the 13 general monitoring stations – including Central, Tung Chung and Tuen Mun – had reached the “serious” level. The remaining 10 stations were at “very high” levels. Roadside monitoring stations in Causeway Bay and Central were also at “serious”, while a roadside station in Mong Kok was “very high”.

Biggest source of air pollution in Hong Kong? It’s shipping, not cars, or mainland China

The Marine Department on Monday said hazy conditions restricted visibility to less than two nautical miles, or about 3.7km, and issued a reminder to ships to exercise extreme caution and travel at safe speeds while navigating local waters.

Pollution levels are expected to drop when an easterly wind comes to the coast of Guangdong province over the weekend and early next week, according to the Environmental Protection Department.

The Hong Kong Observatory has forecast hot and hazy weather for the next few days, with clouds and a few patches of rain over the weekend.

Professor David Hui Shu-cheong, an expert in respiratory medicine at Chinese University, said air pollution could worsen the conditions of patients suffering respiratory illnesses.

“Air pollution increases the risk of exacerbation in patients with existing asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” Hui said. “Air pollutants cause more inflammation and swelling of the airways leading to more airflow obstructions.”

Local research has found that increases in the levels of air pollutants correspond to increases in hospital admissions for residents suffering from asthma and or other respiratory ailments.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: arrival of smog poses serious health risk
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