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Ozone level hits 22-year high cycle

2020-01-20T10:07:00.628Z


The Mission's "Healthy Air Initiative" today (20th) reviewed the air quality of Hong Kong last year and found that Hong Kong's ozone level rose sharply last year. The average annual ozone level reached 54 micrograms per cubic meter, a new high since 1998. Among them, the ozone level in Tseung Kwan O is Hong Kong's. highest. In addition, the group criticized the calculation method of the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), which may not be able to effectively reflect the serious air pollution situation of extremely high PM and relatively low ozone, which has caused the public to fail to prevent or reduce travel in time.


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Written by: Lao Minyi

2020-01-20 18:00

Last updated: 2020-01-20 18:00

The Mission's "Healthy Air Initiative" today (20th) reviewed the air quality of Hong Kong last year and found that Hong Kong's ozone level rose sharply last year. The average annual ozone level reached 54 micrograms per cubic meter, a new high since 1998. Among them, the ozone level in Tseung Kwan O is Hong Kong's. highest.

In addition, the group criticized the calculation method of the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), which may not be able to effectively reflect the serious air pollution situation of extremely high PM and relatively low ozone, which has caused the public to fail to prevent or reduce travel in time.

The Healthy Air Initiative found that air pollution in the western part of Hong Kong continued to be more serious than in the east. Last year, the average nitrogen dioxide level at roadside monitoring stations was 79 micrograms per cubic meter, and the average annual PM2.5 level was 25 micrograms per cubic meter, which is a WHO standard. The levels of PM2.5 and PM10 in Tuen Mun are the highest in Hong Kong, reflecting the combined effects of nearby power plants, regional pollution and traffic emissions.

In addition, compared with 2018, the ozone level in Hong Kong increased significantly last year. Among them, the ozone level recorded by roadside monitoring stations increased by 25%, which is a major alarm. The average annual ozone level reached 54 micrograms per cubic meter, which is New high since 1998. The increase in ozone is more pronounced in the western part of Hong Kong, or it may reflect increased regional pollution.

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Senior Community Relations Manager Long Ziwei explained that the ozone data is a secondary pollutant produced by nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds. However, the above-mentioned data has not increased by one or two years due to weather problems. It also reflects the government ’s inability to deal with ozone levels. Formulate policies to control the levels of nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds in the area, and suppress ozone generation.

HKT approves "Hong Kong Clean Air Blueprint"

The government released the "Hong Kong Clean Air Blueprint" in 2013. The Healthy Air Initiative analyzes the effectiveness of three aspects of air pollution levels, emergency admission rates for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and whether the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) has been effective in improving public health. The group quoted a study from the University of Hong Kong stating that the AQHI index could not reduce the rate of emergency hospital admissions for elderly patients with cardiovascular disease and the rate of emergency hospital admissions for elderly and children with respiratory diseases.

Many citizens rely on AQHI to judge whether air pollution is “explosive”, but the index may not be high when it is cloudy. The Healthy Air Initiative takes the Central and Western District on December 22 last year as an example. When the levels of PM2.5 and PM10 have more than doubled from 12 pm to 1:00 pm, AQHI only rises from 3 to 4 (from "low" Change to "medium"); but when the ozone rises less than double from 2 to 3 pm (at the same time PM2.5 and PM10 are almost unchanged), AQHI rises sharply from 5 to 7 (from "medium" to "high") ).

Index does not fully reflect PM2.5 concentration

Long Ziwei explained that more than 50% of the judgment index is determined by the ozone concentration level, while PM2.5, which has the greatest impact on health, only accounts for 17%. He added that the introduction of the AQHI index is intended to remind citizens how the current level of air pollution affects health and reduce diseases caused by exposure to polluted air, but the data reflects that under the current calculation method, it may not effectively reflect severe air pollution with extremely high PM and relatively low ozone. Situation, it is recommended to increase the proportion of PM calculation.

The EPD is reviewing air quality targets, but recommends that the ozone targets remain the same. Hong Kong's standard for "ozone" is an average of 8 hours not more than 160 micrograms per cubic meter, while the WHO standard is not more than 100 micrograms. Chief Executive Officer Feng Jianwei said that the government does not make changes with the mentality of "doing what you can do and change it." It is also concerned that the air quality will not meet the standards by 2025, but it will waste policy change opportunities. It believes that early compliance with WHO standards will help increase Great efforts to reduce emissions.

The Healthy Air Initiative recommends that drastic policies be put in place to control roadside air pollution, such as promoting the electrification of public transport in Hong Kong and significantly increasing roadside monitoring stations; formulate a new "Hong Kong Clean Air Blueprint" as soon as possible, and set up a clear road map showing air pollution How emission reductions can improve citizens' health; and policy bureaus set common indicators and strengthen departmental collaborations, such as the Transport and Housing Bureau, which is responsible for setting the total mileage of vehicles.

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Source: hk1

All news articles on 2020-01-20

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