Smog clogs Hong Kong’s skyline as ‘very high’ pollution levels recorded
Much of Hong Kong was shrouded in a haze on Thursday as a continental air stream associated with Tropical Cyclone Trami contributed to the trapping of pollutants in the city’s air.
Much of Hong Kong was shrouded in a haze on Thursday as a continental air stream associated with Tropical Cyclone Trami contributed to the trapping of pollutants in the city’s air.
The air pollution index remained a “very high level” for most parts of the city on Thursday as smog and pollutants accumulated.
The high air pollution is a result of the trapping of local pollutants, in particular nitrogen dioxide, in the territory under the light wind coupled with the high regional background pollution
Roadsides of three busy areas were the worst hit. Mong Kok recorded a roadside air pollution index of 167 at 8am, Causeway Bay hit 184 and Central reached 174.
A reading of between 101 and 200 means the pollution level is very high and that people with heart or respiratory illnesses may notice a mild aggravation of their condition, according to the Environmental Department.
Visibility in Central also dropped to only 1,500 metres between 9am and 10am.
Principal Environmental Officer Dave Ho Tak-yin explained that local winds were stagnant under the influence of Trami, making it difficult for air pollutants to disperse.
“The light wind condition and intense sunlight favoured the photochemical smog in the region resulting in the high regional background pollution,” Ho said.
