According to Hong Kong’s Environmental Protection Department (EPD), our Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) reached a ‘very high’ level – the second highest classification – on Sunday, with conditions maintaining or possibly worsening on Monday, April 14. As of 10am on April 14, it is forecast that the AQHI could reach the ‘serious’ classification on Monday towards the evening.
At the time of publication, PM2.5 levels are at 86.8 in the Central area. These are particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, which means the particulate matter can get deep into the lungs and bloodstream. It has been proven that prolonged exposure to PM2.5 can cause adverse health effects, such as irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat, worsening asthma, bronchitis, arrhythmias, and reduced lung function.
Under the influence of a dusty airstream, the level of pollutants in the air, including suspended particulate matter, are higher than normal. Winds in Hong Kong have also been weakening over the last couple of days, which means pollutants are not dispersing easily. The Hong Kong Observatory has also announced that the combination of a very dry continental airstream, sand, dust, and weak winds, means that visibility will be low in Hong Kong and up to Guangdong today and tomorrow.
On IQAir.com’s live pollution rankings, Hong Kong on the morning of April 14 ranked the fourth worst city for air pollution in the world, just behind Lahore in Pakistan, Delhi in India, and Shenzhen in mainland China. We later dropped to seventh place at the time of publication, with Baghdad, Guangzhou, and Chongqing moving up ahead of our city in the list.
AQHIs are ranked on a scale of one to 10+, and grouped into five health risk categories, with eight to 10 being ‘very high’ and 10+ being ‘serious’. When pollution is at a ‘serious’ level, the general public is advised to reduce their time outdoors to the minimum, while children, the elderly, and those with heart or respiratory conditions to avoid being outdoors altogether.
Luckily, the AQHI forecast for Tuesday, April 15 should decrease to the ‘high’ level. Hongkongers who have underlying health conditions should still be wary of outdoor activities. Keep an eye on the AQHI on the official website.
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