Hong Kong's Air Pollution: A Problematic Reality

Hong Kong has some of the worst air pollution in the world. The city's dense population, busy roads, and proximity to mainland China all contribute to poor air quality, which poses a major health risk to residents. The Hong Kong government has been criticised for its slow response to the issue and its reliance on an outdated and ineffective Air Pollution Index. While the government has implemented plans to improve air quality, such as the adoption of electric vehicles, the current rate of carbon emissions shows no signs of slowing down.

Hong Kong's air pollution is caused by motor vehicles, marine vessels and power plants

Hong Kong's air pollution is a major concern and is mainly caused by motor vehicles, marine vessels, and power plants. The two primary challenges presented by this are local street-level pollution and regional smog.

Diesel vehicles, especially trucks, buses, and light buses, are the dominant source of street-level pollution. The Hong Kong government has implemented a comprehensive vehicle emission control programme, which has improved air quality. As of 2020, roadside levels of nitrogen dioxide, respirable suspended particulates, fine suspended particulates, and sulphur dioxide have reduced by 40%, 48%, 47%, and 50%, respectively, compared to 2010. In March 2021, the government also announced the Hong Kong Roadmap on the Popularisation of Electric Vehicles, which aims to increase the adoption of electric vehicles.

Smog is caused by a combination of pollutants from motor vehicles, industry, and power plants in Hong Kong and the neighbouring Pearl River Delta. To tackle this, the Hong Kong government released the Clean Air Plan in March 2013, which outlines measures to reduce air pollution from power plants, land and sea transport, and non-road mobile machinery. The plan also seeks to strengthen collaboration with Guangdong to address regional pollution. The government announced an updated Clean Air Plan for 2035 in June 2021, which sets out long-term goals and strategies to further enhance air quality.

In addition to the Clean Air Plan, Hong Kong's Air Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap. 311) establishes the Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) that are reviewed at least once every five years to improve air quality and protect public health. The Environmental Protection Department also releases an hourly Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to inform the public about the short-term health risks of air pollution and help them take necessary precautions.

Regarding marine vessels, Hong Kong's legislation includes the Air Pollution Control (Fuel for Vessels) Regulation (Cap. 311AB), which mandates the use of compliant fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.5 percent. Vessels can be exempted from this requirement if they employ emission reduction technology that achieves equivalent or lower sulphur dioxide emissions.

The government has been working to improve air quality through various initiatives

However, these AQOs have not been updated since their implementation. In 2005, the Task Force on Air Pollution criticised the government for using a pollution index that does not accurately reflect health risks, giving a "false sense of security" according to Professor Wong Tze-wai of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. In response to this, Greenpeace East Asia's Hong Kong office launched the "Real Air Pollution Index" in 2008, providing hourly pollution level updates from 15 monitoring stations and comparing them to WHO standards. This initiative aimed to pressure the government into aligning its Air Pollution Index with WHO guidelines.

The Hong Kong government has also collaborated with the Guangdong Provincial Government to implement measures addressing regional pollution, particularly from the Pearl River Delta. These collaborative efforts recognise that a significant proportion of Hong Kong's air pollution originates from mainland China, with up to 77% of dust in the air during winter months attributed to China. Despite the challenges of enforcing agreements with Guangdong, these collaborative efforts are crucial in managing regional pollution effectively.

Furthermore, the government has recognised the need to regulate emissions from industrial power plants and marine vessels. In 2013, the government released the first Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong, outlining strategies to tackle air pollution from power plants, land and sea transport, and non-road mobile machinery. Additionally, the government announced the Hong Kong Roadmap on the Popularisation of Electric Vehicles in 2021, demonstrating a commitment to promoting the adoption of electric vehicles and reducing emissions from fossil fuel-powered transport.

Air pollution in Hong Kong has severe health impacts, including exacerbating asthma and increasing the risk of cardio-respiratory death

Air pollution is a significant concern in Hong Kong, with far-reaching health consequences for its residents. The city's dense population, proximity to busy roads, and regional smog contribute to a complex air quality challenge. The Hong Kong Medical Association has linked air pollution to a range of adverse health effects, including exacerbating asthma, impairing lung function, and increasing the risk of cardio-respiratory death.

The impact of air pollution on respiratory health is particularly concerning. The Medical Association's findings indicate that for every increase of 10 micrograms per cubic metre of pollutants, the risk of cardio-respiratory death rises by 2 to 3 per cent. This is especially worrying given the high levels of pollution found near heavily travelled roads. A study from the Netherlands revealed that the mortality rate from vehicular pollution can be twice as high for residents living within 50 metres of a main road and 100 metres of a freeway. As millions of people in Hong Kong live and work in close proximity to these busy roads, they are exposed to elevated health risks.

The air pollution in Hong Kong has led to a substantial number of hospital admissions and premature deaths annually. Studies by local public health experts have linked roadside pollution to approximately 90,000 hospital admissions and an alarming 2,800 premature deaths each year. These figures underscore the urgent need to address the city's air quality issues.

The sources of Hong Kong's air pollution are diverse and interconnected. Motor vehicles, marine vessels, and power plants are the primary contributors. Among motor vehicles, diesel vehicles, particularly trucks, buses, and light buses, are the main culprits of street-level pollution. The dense concentration of people and vehicles in Hong Kong's urban areas exacerbates the problem. The city's geographical location in the Pearl River Delta region also plays a role, as pollutants from nearby industrial areas and power plants in the region contribute to the smog that often blankets the city.

To address these pressing issues, the Hong Kong government has implemented various initiatives. The Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong, first released in 2013, aims to tackle pollution from power plants, land and sea transport, and non-road mobile machinery. The government is also promoting the adoption of electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure through the Hong Kong Roadmap on the Popularisation of Electric Vehicles. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) plays a crucial role in monitoring and informing the public about air quality through the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). The AQHI provides a scale of 1 to 10+ and offers health advice to help residents take precautionary measures, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with heart or respiratory conditions.

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) plays a key role in monitoring and addressing air pollution

Hong Kong's air quality is a major concern, with the Special Administrative Region Government giving high priority to tackling both local air pollution and regional smog. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) plays a key role in monitoring and addressing air pollution.

The EPD was established to solve air pollution problems and provide for a lasting acceptable level of air quality. It releases an hourly Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to inform the public of the short-term health risks of air pollution and help them take precautions to protect their health. The AQHI is reported on a scale of 1 to 10+ and is grouped into five health risk categories with associated advice. This is particularly useful for vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, and those with heart or respiratory illnesses.

The EPD has 11 general monitoring stations and three roadside stations. In 2005, it began monitoring PM2.5 levels, which measure particles 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, but the data was not publicised. The department also provides updates on the AQHI every hour and releases annual reports on air quality. It has set up an Indoor Air Quality Information Centre to promote healthy indoor environments and raise awareness of the importance of indoor air quality.

To address air pollution, the EPD has taken several initiatives. In 2006, it launched the Action Blue Sky Campaign to gain public and business support for improving air quality. In 2008, it collaborated with Greenpeace East Asia's Hong Kong office on the "Real Air Pollution Index" campaign, which aimed to get the government to update the Air Pollution Index to match World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The EPD has also published the Hong Kong Air Pollutant Emission Inventory annually since 2000, providing data on major air pollutants.

The EPD has contributed to the development and implementation of the Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong, which was first released in 2013 and updated in 2021. This plan outlines measures to tackle air pollution from power plants, land and sea transport, and non-road mobile machinery, as well as strengthen collaboration with the Guangdong Provincial Government to address regional pollution. The EPD's efforts have led to significant improvements in air quality, with reductions in roadside levels of nitrogen dioxide, respirable suspended particulates, fine suspended particulates, and sulphur dioxide compared to 2010 levels.

Hong Kong's air pollution is influenced by regional factors, with a significant portion of particulate matter originating from mainland China

Air pollution is a major concern in Hong Kong. The city's air pollution is influenced by a combination of local and regional factors, with a significant portion of particulate matter originating from mainland China.

Hong Kong's dense population, busy roads, and high-rise buildings contribute to its air quality issues. The city's narrow streets, surrounded by tall buildings, create "street canyons," trapping pollutants between structures. Motor vehicles, particularly diesel trucks, buses, and light buses, are a significant source of street-level pollution. The mortality rate from vehicular pollution can be twice as high near heavily travelled roads, and with millions of Hong Kong residents living and working close to busy roads, this presents a significant health risk.

In addition to local sources, regional factors also play a role in Hong Kong's air pollution. Smog, a combination of pollutants from motor vehicles, industry, and power plants, is a notable issue. The Pearl River Delta region, including Hong Kong and neighbouring areas in mainland China, contributes to this smog. According to a study commissioned by Hong Kong's Environmental Protection Department, about 60-70% of particulate matter in Hong Kong's air comes from the mainland. During winter, when wind patterns blow more pollutants towards Hong Kong, this figure can increase to 77%.

The impact of this air pollution on the health of Hong Kong's population is severe. Studies have linked air pollution to approximately 90,000 hospital admissions and 2,800 premature deaths annually. In 2017, researchers estimated that more than 300,000 doctor's visits in the first month of that year were linked to smog. The Hong Kong Medical Association has stated that air pollution can exacerbate asthma, impair lung function, and increase the risk of cardio-respiratory death.

While the Hong Kong government has implemented initiatives to improve air quality, such as the Clean Air Plan released in 2013, and has announced plans to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, the current rate of carbon emissions remains high.

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