Sources of Air Pollution

Local versus Regional

Despite the fact that, on a yearly basis, the majority of emissions tonnage comes from the Pearl River Delta, 53% of the time (192 days per year), the majority of pollution in HK is from LOCAL SOURCES. When the data is grouped by month and mode (local, regional or low pollution), it shows that while the Pearl River Delta affects Hong Kong’s air pollution in winter (November – March), it is local sources (including vehicles, marine and power plants) that play the biggest role through summer (April – August).

It is therefore incorrect to believe that Hong Kong-based pollution abatement measures would make no difference in the local air quality.

Read the full report explaining the methodology and calculation of local versus regional sources, by HKUST and Civic Exchange, Relative Significance of Local vs Regional Sources: Hong Kong’s Air Pollution (March 2007).

Below is a chart showing source proportionment of air pollution in Hong Kong taken by the EPD.