HK engulfed in smog as fears grow over air quality
HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s famous skyline was engulfed in smog yesterday, with residents urged to stay indoors.
The winter months regularly bring worse air quality to Hong Kong and other parts of the region due to wind direction and weather conditions. But as acrid air shrouded the city’s skyscrapers, harbour and surrounding hills, residents said they were afraid for their health.
“It feels stuffy and airless. It’s more difficult to breathe,” said Elsa Choi, 32.
“I’m not sure if masks could filter out (the particles). I won’t go outside as much,” Choi added.
The air quality in Hong Kong Monday was categorised as ‘unhealthy’ on the World Air Quality Index.
Readings of damaging fine particles known as PM 2.5 hit an average concentration of 198 micrograms per cubic metre.
The World Health Organisation recommends a maximum average exposure of 25 micrograms per cubic metre in a 24-hour period.
In Beijing, where pollution has reached hazardous levels in the past, the average reading was 25, categorised as ‘good’.
The government said that pollution in Hong Kong was higher than normal and that the risk to health was ‘very high’, as it warned residents to avoid outdoor activities.
Schools were urged to take ‘appropriate measures’ to safeguard students’ health.
The environment bureau blamed the smog on a mix of light winds, preventing dispersion of pollutants, and sunshine which it said worsens the problem. But campaigners said authorities should not simply look to the weather.
“We know that there is a weather factor but we also know that roadside air pollution comes from traffic,” said Patrick Fung of NGO Clean Air Network, who said there should be traffic controls on high pollution days.
Fung added that few people in the densely packed city could go about their daily routine without being close to the clogged roads.