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The Environmental Protection Agency announced that the ozone concentration in the air quality epidemic last year was the second highest in 22 years and the nitrogen dioxide exceeded the standard

2021-01-08T12:59:07.910Z


In 2020, global economic activity will be greatly reduced due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia. However, Hong Kong's air pollutants ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels remained high last year. Ozone concentration at general monitoring stations last year


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Written by: Golden Chess

2021-01-08 20:47

Last update date: 2021-01-08 20:48

In 2020, global economic activity will be greatly reduced due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia. However, Hong Kong's air pollutants ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels remained high last year.

Last year, the ozone concentration at the general monitoring station was tied with the 2018 record for the second highest concentration in the past 22 years; the concentration recorded at the roadside monitoring station was the same as last year, a record high since 1999.

In addition, although nitrogen dioxide has fallen sharply in earlier years, it is still at a relatively high level.

The average annual concentration last year was 70 micrograms per cubic meter, which nearly doubled the air quality indicator limit of 40 micrograms per cubic meter.

The Environmental Protection Department explained that commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses, minibuses and other roadside nitrogen oxides (NOx) are the main sources of emissions, and their NOx emissions account for more than 90% of all vehicles in Hong Kong.

Therefore, commercial vehicles will continue to be the focus of improving roadside air quality.

The authorities also emphasized that ozone is a complex air pollution problem, and it is also a regional problem. It also said that it will strengthen the control of volatile organic compounds, strengthen regional cooperation and scientific research to deal with the ozone problem.

The Environmental Protection Department today (8th) announced an overview of Hong Kong's air quality in 2020. However, the authorities have reversed their habit for many years and used a press release instead of holding a press conference to explain the data for the second consecutive year.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the ozone in the air is still on a long-term upward trend. The concentration recorded at general monitoring stations is 52 micrograms per cubic meter. Although it is lower than the record in 2019, it is flat to the record in 2018 and is also the second highest concentration since 1999. Record.

Last year, all general monitoring stations exceeded the concentration limit. Among them, 5 monitoring stations exceeded the allowable limit number of times (9 times), and Tap Mun recorded 17 times of exceeding the limit as the most frequent monitoring station.

Nitrogen dioxide exceeds the upper limit nearly times

The ozone concentration recorded at the roadside monitoring station was 32 micrograms per cubic meter, which was the highest in 22 years as in 2019.

The EPA explained that ozone is not emitted directly from pollution sources, but is formed by photochemical reactions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds in the air under sunlight.

In recent years, the ozone concentration in Hong Kong has increased. In addition to the high level of ozone in the regional background, local vehicles reduce NOx emissions and reduce the chemical reaction of nitric oxide with ozone, reducing ozone consumption. This will also indirectly lead to roadside and urban average Ozone levels are rising.

In addition, roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is still at a high level. The average annual concentration in 2020 is 70 micrograms per cubic meter, which exceeds the air quality indicator limit and is 40 micrograms per cubic meter.

Among them, six monitoring stations exceeded the standards throughout the year, including all three roadside monitoring stations. The highest recorded in Mong Kok was 74 micrograms per cubic meter.

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PM2.5 levels continue to drop, the air has improved

Among other air pollutants, inhalable suspended particles (PM10), fine suspended particles (PM2.5) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the general air have dropped from the highest level by 43% to 80%.

In terms of smog, the number of hours of low visibility in Hong Kong’s air has also improved substantially by 78% from the highest level.

In addition, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Pearl River Delta Regional Air Monitoring Network recorded a continuous decline in PM2.5 levels in the region, reflecting the improvement in regional air quality in recent years. The analysis of satellite data from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology also showed that PM2.5 levels in the Pearl River Delta region have improved significantly .

According to the EPA, a series of emission reduction measures have been introduced in recent years, including the elimination of approximately 80,000 pre-Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles last year, tightening of vehicle exhaust emission standards, and gradual tightening of emission limits for power plants.

In the first quarter of this year, the government will publish the first road map for the popularization of electric vehicles in Hong Kong, continuing to make long-term plans for improving the air quality in Hong Kong.

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COVID-19, Air Pollution, Air Quality and Environmental Protection Agency

Source: hk1

All news articles on 2021-01-08

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