Hong Kong’s Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has warned that the city may experience “Very High” or above pollution levels for the rest of the week.
The announcement was made yesterday when a number of roadside air monitoring stations reached the higher levels in the risk categories.
As Hong Kong is currently under the influence of a dry continental airstream, the weather is mainly sunny with moderate winds.
With the higher background pollutant levels, photochemical smog is enhanced by intense sunshine, leading to the formation of ozone. This in turn promotes the formation of the pollutant nitrogen dioxide, particularly in urban roadside areas that receive little in the way of breeze.
The EPD has warned that some roadside monitoring stations may record “Serious” levels of pollution until the weekend, when a few showers are expected to clear things up a little.
When the risk category is “Very High” or above, children, the elderly and people with existing health problems are advised reduce physical exertion outdoors. Those experiencing discomfort should seek medical attention.
FYI, not being able to see what colour the sky is doesn’t count as discomfort. That’s just #HongKonglife sometimes.
Photo: Toby Oxborrow
