Air Pollution｜The Nitrogen Dioxide Concentration of 11 Tuen Mun Exceeds WHO Standards, Hongqiao Bus Stop Tops the List

District 18 News

Written by: District Licheng

2021-05-23 20:14

Last update date: 2021-05-23 20:14

Tuen Mun has always been one of the hardest hit areas of air pollution.

The Healthy Air Initiative cooperated with the Environmental Research Institute of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to launch the first "Good Air Community" education program, starting from Tuen Mun District, hoping to gradually promote the importance of paying attention to air pollution in the 18 districts.

Some secondary schools in the district held an air community exhibition day and a community seminar yesterday (22nd) to showcase the results of the first phase of the project to the public, and announced the measurement results and air pollution black spots at 11 districts.

A number of experts and Tuen Mun neighborhoods were invited to attend the event to collect opinions for students for further research.

The Healthy Air Initiative cooperated with the Environmental Research Institute of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to launch the first "Good Air Community" education program, starting from Tuen Mun District, hoping to gradually promote the importance of paying attention to air pollution in the 18 districts.

(Picture provided by Healthy Air Action)

The Church of Christ in China Tan Li Lifen Memorial Middle School is a school participating in the "Good Air Community" education program. Through a 1.5km experiential learning circle, students participating in the program can find air pollution black spots and environmental health risks in a familiar living circle, and conduct field investigations. And collect data to find solutions to air pollution.

In mid-March, participating students worked with a group of elderly volunteers to install nitrogen dioxide (NO2) test tubes at 11 locations within 1.5 kilometers of the school, collect data for two weeks, and conduct field observations and questionnaire surveys.

According to calculations by experts commissioned by the Environment Agency, the mortality rate will increase by 3.9% for every increase of 10 micrograms/m3 of nitrogen dioxide, and local nitrogen dioxide mainly comes from vehicle emissions.

The results of the survey showed that the concentration of nitrogen dioxide in the 11 measurement locations exceeded the recommended safety level of the World Health Organization (an average of 40 micrograms per cubic meter per year). The three closest locations adjacent to the Tuen Mun Highway were Hongqiao. The bus station (222.18 micrograms per cubic meter), a kindergarten in the district (102.74 micrograms per cubic meter) and the Tan Li Lifen Memorial Middle School of the Church of Christ in China (92.59 micrograms per cubic meter) have the most serious air pollution and are the most serious air pollution in the investigation. point.

The Hongqiao bus stop is more than four times higher than the WHO guidelines. This is mainly because the noise barrier design of Tuen Mun Highway prevents air pollutants from dissipating, which makes the air pollution problem at the bus stop serious.

Participating students led Tuen Mun neighborhoods on the day of the event to inspect three of the measurement locations, including the school playground, the Red Bridge Bus Station and the San Hui Light Rail Station. The exhibition was equipped with templates and interactive panels for air quality measurement and technology applications For participants to check air data.

Feng Jianwei, Chief Executive Officer of Action for Healthy Air, said at the event, "The plan is to use the Tan Li Lifen Memorial High School of the Church of Christ in China as a starting point. It is hoped that through multiple learning activities, students will gradually learn to collect air pollution and use innovative technologies, make scientific analysis, and arouse public concern. Concerns about air pollution and health issues", he also hopes that the project can be extended to other communities.

Regarding the air pollution problem in the area, the participating students suggested that the campus should be planted with a variety of plants. They also hope that the school can arrange physical education hours during off-peak hours with fresher air to prevent children from inhaling too much pollutants. It can also be built near the school. Barrier to block and reduce pollutants emitted by vehicles.

In the long run, they recommend that the government phase out petrol vehicles, subsidize car owners to purchase electric vehicles, and fully use zero-emission vehicles in 2030. They also call on the government to regulate and tighten standards for vehicle fuel and vehicle exhaust emissions, and recommend that the public reduce the use of petrol vehicles. , Take more public transportation to reduce vehicle emissions.

The study lists the top ten air pollution black spots in Tuen Mun, three covered or semi-enclosed bus stops on the list

The government will update the air blueprint during the year and approve emission reduction work very slowly. Advocating the setting of air pollution black spots

The Development Bureau plans to set up a concrete plant in Area 137, Tseung Kwan O. Residents oppose concerns about increasing air pollution

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Air Pollution in Tuen Mun Community