Three runners critically ill after collapsing during the HK Marathon today
See the link to the brief news story, http://bit.ly/c5iGUE Unfortunately, PM levels at Causeway Bay and Central exceeded WHO Air Quality Guideline levels at noon today, based on CAN’s daily air pollution twitter service (@cleanairnetwork) & the Govt’s official air quality monitoring network. It should come as no surprise that, when we contacted the marathon organizers earlier this year, they were reluctant to be associated with CAN & the issue of HK air pollution. Hong Kong’s filthy air can’t very well be swept under the rug, so wouldn’t it have been better for runners to be fully aware of all the health facts before deciding to train or compete for such an event? (It is extremely doubtful that many, except those most vulnerable, would have been deterred.) We hope that we will have the chance to work closely with organizers of such activities in the near future, to highlight the critical importance to health of improving Hong Kong’s air quality. Rather than shy away from raising the issue of air pollution, we hope that event organizers will look at their event as a way to mobilize more support for clean air in Hong Kong. After all, it is not the organizer’s fault that the air is the way it is. Rather, if participants are educated, they can assess the risks for themselves and assume responsibility for any resulting adverse health consequence.
