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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) forecasts that some general and roadside monitoring stations would record a higher than normal pollution level later today (July 6). At 4pm today, the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) at the general monitoring stations in Central/Western and at the roadside monitoring station in Causeway Bay reached 10. The health risk category is "Very High".
A continental airstream is affecting the coastal areas of Guangdong. The weather in Hong Kong is mainly cloudy with sunny periods and light northerly winds. The higher pollutant background airstream enhanced the formation of ozone in the Pearl River Delta region and the ozone level is expected to further increase in the afternoon. Coupled with light wind, which is conducive to the trapping of air pollutants, pollution levels are expected to increase at both general and roadside monitoring stations because the high ozone levels will also promote the formation of nitrogen dioxide from nitrogen oxides in the street level.
The EPD forecasts that the AQHI health risk categories at some of the general and roadside monitoring stations may reach "Serious" level later today.
According to the Hong Kong Observatory, there will be sunny periods in the next couple of days. It is expected that photochemical smog activities will still be active in the afternoon, resulting in the health risk may reach the very high to serious categories.
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 general public are advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. As health effects of air pollutants may vary for individuals, persons who are in doubt or experience discomfort should seek advice from health-care professionals. The public may visit the Centre for Health Protection's website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html) for more information on health effects of air pollution and relevant health advice.
The Education Bureau (EDB) urges all schools to visit the EDB website for appropriate measures to safeguard students' health and take note of changes in the index. The relevant hyperlink is as follows: www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities-guidelines/index.html .
At the "Very High" level, employers of outdoor workers performing heavy manual works are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees such as reducing outdoor physical exertion and the time of their stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. At the "Serious" level, employers of all outdoor workers are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees.
Members of the public can check the current AQHI readings at the EPD's website (www.aqhi.gov.hk/en.html) or by calling the hotline 2827 8541.
Ends/Monday, July 6, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:31
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