Hong Kong Air Pollution Hits New Record High - 2X That Of Prior Record - 12-14X WHO Max Recommended

[hatrack]

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By Monday afternoon, Hong Kong’s official air pollution index soared even further, to well above 400 points at several measurement stations across the city, according to the Environmental Protection Department’s Web site. These were the worst levels since records began in 1998, a spokesperson for the department said by phone. The previous record was 202, hit in July 2008.

At 600 to 700 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter, pollution levels are between 12 and 14 times what is recommended by the World Health Organization, said the Clean Air Network, which campaigns to inform the public on Hong Kong’s pollution issues. The high levels were partly caused by a sandstorm in northern China, which has been moving south, the Hong Kong environment department said in a statement.

But the Clean Air Network said home-grown roadside pollution was also key to explaining the record levels. And Mike Kilburn, environmental program manager at Civic Exchange, a public policy research institution, said in a statement: “Even though the dust storms have created record levels of particulate emissions, we must not lose sight of the fact that roadside pollution remains the single biggest threat to public health in Hong Kong.”

Air pollution index levels of 100 or above are classified as “very high” and come with advice that people who are sensitive to pollution should reduce outdoor activities. Anything above 200 is “severe,” and can lead to coughing, phlegm and sore throats, the authorities warned.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/science/earth/23pollute.html