(8^th January, 2012, Hong Kong) In its first-ever annual air quality review, Clean Air Network (CAN) revealed that nitrogen dioxide concentration levels in Hong Kong’s urban areas during 2011 were the highest they have ever been since monitoring began in 1996. A rise in levels of particulate matter (PM10), fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone concentration levels, from 2010 to 2011, was also found. These findings clearly indicate a deterioration in roadside air quality in Hong Kong. CAN sees greater use of emission-free vehicles as one solution towards mitigating the problem, and thus, hosted an event today to promote cycling. The event was co-organized with the Sham Shui Po District Council and attracted 150 participants. The cyclists journeyed a total of 10 kilometers between Sham Shui Po and Stonecutters Island and took part in educational activities about air pollution along the way.

CAN publishes its annual air quality review for 2011

The goal of CAN’s review is to provide the public with an accessible and easy-to-understand report on air quality for the past year and to evaluate and comment on the Government’s efforts to combat air pollution during that time. Included in the report are findings showing that there were a total of 58 days of reduced visibility in 2011, the third highest number recorded since 1968. In 2010, there were 51 days of reduced visibility; in 1990, 11 days. Past studies have shown poor visibility to be a clear marker of bad air quality and decreases in visibility have been linked to an increase in mortality rates due to air pollution. According to conservative estimates, there were 906 avoidable deaths from air pollution in 2011, a hundred more than last year.

Hong Kong’s NO2 levels higher than Beijing and Guangzhou   

Hong Kong’s urban nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentration levels rank second to last when compared with 31 other major Chinese cities, with levels worse than even Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Exposure to high levels of NO₂ can result in many long-term and devastating health impacts, including significant inflammation of the respiratory systems, reduced lung growth and lung function, and lower resistance to respiratory infections such as influenza.

The proposed Air Quality Objectives are too lax to protect public health

CAN believes that protecting the public from adverse health impacts such as those mentioned above requires the Government to set stricter air quality standards, and, therefore,  CAN urges the Government to implement the new, proposed Air Quality Objectives as soon as possible. CAN has found, however, that the number of pollution exceedances allowed by the new proposed Air Quality Objectives differs very little from the current Air Quality Objectives – to the extent that they would only have a very modest effect in abating Hong Kong’s growing air pollution problem. In order for significant improvement to be made, CAN believes the Government should set a timetable outlining a path towards adopting the air quality standards recommended by the World Health Organization. Further measures CAN suggests include eliminating the highest polluting diesel buses and trucks from Hong Kong’s roads, setting up low emission zones and promoting greater use of cleaner vehicles.

Public awareness of the problem is a crucial key to air quality improvement

Part of CAN’s mission is to educate the public about the impacts air pollution has on their health and possible solutions to the problem. This was the goal of today’s cycling event.

CAN’s Vice-chairman, Mr. Stephen Wong Yuen Shan, was one of the cyclers. He commented, saying, “Cycling is good for our health and good for our air, but Hong Kong is severely lacking in cycling infrastructure. Riding on main roads is nearly impossible and those who do bike on them are exposed to suffocating levels of roadside emissions. Those who work by the roadside are forced to suffer even more. They are like “vacuums,” having to inhale all the pollutants, which inevitably leads to serious health problems. This is an issue that affects all of us and deserves greater public attention.”

Download the full report from this link: http://www.hongkongcan.org/doclib/2011-Air-Quality-Review-final-format-ENG.pdf

Photo Caption：

1. The participants playing a warm-up game before starting out. Each team has to re-organize a jumble of phrases into the proper order to make an air pollution fact.
2. Sham Shui Po District Councillor Carman Ng giving the kick-off shout, sending the cyclists off into motion.
3. Sham Shui Po District Councillors Vincent Cheng and Wai Woon Nam riding bikes with the participants, cycling together to Stonecutter’s Island.
4. The cyclists are forced to breathe in the heavy pollutants spewed by the trucks as they pass by.
5. Today’s cycling event was a success with many participants, indicating enthusiastic support for a stronger cycling community and more cycling infrastructure in Hong Kong.