Helena Joyce
Hong Kong has some of the poorest air quality in the world, despite having one of the highest per capita incomes and the highest life expectancy. The city's air pollution is mainly caused by emissions from motor vehicles, particularly diesel vehicles, as well as marine vessels and power plants. Construction sites and dump trucks that carry dusty materials without proper covering also contribute to air pollution in Hong Kong. The government has implemented measures to improve air quality, such as the Clean Air Plan, and promote the adoption of electric vehicles, but the city still faces challenges like regional smog and the illegal use of fireworks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common air pollutants | Carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, lead |
| Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) | 1 to 10 and 10+ |
| Number of construction sites | 1668 |
| Number of home improvement projects per year | 20,000+ |
| Population | 7.5 million (2023) |
| Male life expectancy | 81.32 years (2017) |
| Female life expectancy | 87.34 years (2023) |
| Annual average concentration of particulate matter (PM10) | 45 μg/m3 (2000-2015) |
| NO2 concentration | 63 μg/m3 (2000-2015) |
| Reduction in roadside nitrogen dioxide levels (2010-2020) | 40% |
| Reduction in roadside respirable suspended particulates levels (2010-2020) | 48% |
| Reduction in roadside fine suspended particulates levels (2010-2020) | 47% |
| Reduction in roadside sulphur dioxide levels (2010-2020) | 50% |
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What You'll Learn
Construction dust and quarry production
Dusty construction waste from roadworks, renovation, and refurbishment can emit harmful particulates and other pollutants. This includes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from solvent-based paints, solvents, and adhesives, as well as dust from cutting, grinding, polishing, and sanding materials. The use of power tools and hand tools can release nanoparticles and ultrafine particles, including microplastics, into the air. Improper covering of dusty materials during transportation also leads to fugitive dust emissions. Concrete batching plants, in particular, have been identified as contributing to air pollution in Hong Kong.
Heavy construction equipment powered by diesel engines emits toxic pollutants, including CO, NOx, HC, particulate matter, and CO2. The long service lives of this equipment further compound the issue.
The impact of air pollution on health is significant. The World Health Organization (WHO) has ranked urban outdoor air pollution as the 14th global risk factor for mortality in 2004. Vulnerable groups, such as children, young adults, and the elderly, are especially susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution, which can cause nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness.
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Motor vehicles, especially diesel vehicles
Motor vehicles are a significant contributor to Hong Kong's air pollution, particularly diesel vehicles. Diesel exhaust from trucks, buses, and light buses is the most concerning, as they produce a large number of particulates and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These vehicles are the main source of street-level pollution in Hong Kong. The government has recognized this issue and implemented measures to tackle air pollution from road transport, including the Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong, which was first released in March 2013.
The impact of air pollution on health is well-recognized, and it can cause various adverse effects. Common air pollutants include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, and lead. Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with asthma or chronic respiratory diseases are especially susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution.
To address the issue of diesel vehicle emissions, the Hong Kong government has taken steps to promote the adoption of electric vehicles. In March 2021, the government announced the Hong Kong Roadmap on the Popularisation of Electric Vehicles, outlining long-term plans to encourage the use of electric vehicles. This initiative aims to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality in the region.
The implementation of a comprehensive vehicle emission control program has already shown positive results. From 2010 to 2020, roadside levels of nitrogen dioxide, respirable suspended particulates, fine suspended particulates, and sulphur dioxide decreased by 40%, 48%, 47%, and 50%, respectively. These improvements in air quality are expected to have a positive impact on the health and well-being of Hong Kong's residents.
Hong Kong's air pollution is not only a local issue but also a transboundary concern. The city experiences regional air pollution from emissions originating in both Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region. This includes pollutants from motor vehicles, industry, and power plants. To address this complex problem, the Hong Kong government has been collaborating with the Guangdong Provincial Government to implement a range of measures to improve regional air quality.
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Fireworks
A study analysing the Environmental Protection Department's air pollutant concentration data during firework displays in 2023 and 2024 found that SO2 concentrations remained relatively stable, with no increase observed shortly after the fireworks. Although some stations recorded an increase in NO2 after the performances, this was attributed to the locations of the stations relative to the firework shooting sites and the dominant wind direction.
Strict fireworks regulations have been shown to reduce ambient PM2.5 concentration by 8% during festival months and significantly improve public health, with lower rates of respiratory and cardiovascular-related diseases. However, the implementation of such regulations is often controversial, with opponents arguing that they are an attack on traditional festivals or that they have only a limited impact on air pollution.
The Hong Kong government's plan to hold monthly firework displays to attract tourists has sparked debate about the balance between economic gains and environmental concerns. While the proposed monthly firework displays may provide economic benefits, there are concerns about their impact on air quality, and further research is recommended to study the dispersion characteristics of fireworks in detail.
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Landfill and waste incineration
Landfills and waste incineration are major contributors to air pollution in Hong Kong. The city's landfill waste problem is exacerbated by its dense population of approximately 7.5 million people, making it challenging to establish new landfill sites. Annually, Hong Kong's landfills receive about 4.17 million tonnes of solid waste, with food waste accounting for 30% of this waste stream. The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified the issue, with increased waste from food takeout packaging, single-use plastics, and masks.
The Hong Kong government has implemented measures such as the Waste Charging Scheme to reduce waste and promote recycling. However, with a high landfilling rate of 48% for municipal solid waste, the city faces a solid waste crisis. To alleviate this crisis, the government proposed the Integrated Waste Management Facilities (IWMF) plan, which includes constructing incinerators for solid waste treatment.
While incineration can reduce waste volumes, it also raises concerns about increased greenhouse gas emissions. Incinerating solid waste can lead to higher GHG emissions, particularly when the incinerated waste includes plastics and other fossil fuel-based materials. This contributes to global warming, with methane gases from landfills possessing 10 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide.
The waste sector in Hong Kong, encompassing waste disposal, biological treatment, incineration, and wastewater treatment, is a significant contributor to anthropogenic GHG emissions. Food waste, in particular, is a major source of GHG emissions, not only in Hong Kong but also in other cities and countries.
To address the environmental issues associated with landfills and waste incineration, Hong Kong must focus on reducing and recycling waste. The government's efforts to regulate emissions from industrial power plants and marine vessels have had some success, but the collaboration with Guangdong authorities to improve air quality in the Great Bay Area has yet to show significant improvements.
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Emissions from power plants
Hong Kong's air pollution is largely attributed to emissions from motor vehicles, marine vessels, and power plants. While diesel vehicles, particularly trucks, buses, and light buses, are the primary contributors to street-level pollution, emissions from power plants significantly impact both local and regional air quality.
The Hong Kong government has recognised the problem and taken steps to address it. In 2013, they introduced the Clean Air Plan, which outlined measures to tackle air pollution from power plants and set long-term goals for improving air quality. As a result of this plan and other initiatives, Hong Kong has seen improvements in air quality, with reductions in roadside levels of nitrogen dioxide, respirable and fine suspended particulates, and sulphur dioxide when compared to 2010 levels.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) plays a crucial role in monitoring and addressing air pollution in Hong Kong. They introduced the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), which provides the public with real-time information on air pollution levels and associated health risks. The AQHI is reported on a scale of 1 to 10+ and is categorised into five health risk groups, each offering specific health advice. The EPD also enforces the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, the primary legislation on air pollution control, and conducts regular reviews of Hong Kong's Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) to ensure continuous improvement in air quality.
Despite these efforts, air pollution in Hong Kong remains a concern. The territory's high-income, high-pollution context sets it apart from other developed regions, and transboundary air pollution is a significant issue. The annual average concentration of particulate matter (PM10) in Hong Kong from 2000 to 2015 was more than double the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended level, and the NO2 concentration was roughly 1.5 times higher than the recommended threshold. Studies have estimated the causal impact of air pollution on mortality, and while infant and young child deaths have not been directly linked to air pollution, it has been associated with decreased birth weights.
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Frequently asked questions
The main sources of air pollution in Hong Kong are motor vehicles, marine vessels, power plants, landfill, waste incineration, sewage sludge treatment, and construction sites.
Common air pollutants include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, and lead.
Construction sites in Hong Kong contribute to air pollution through the use of heavy construction equipment powered by diesel engines, which emit toxic pollutants. In addition, dusty materials that are not properly covered or cleaned up at construction sites can result in fugitive dust emissions.
Emissions from motor vehicles, especially diesel vehicles such as trucks, buses, and light buses, are a significant source of street-level pollution in Hong Kong. These vehicles produce high levels of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, contributing to the overall air pollution in the city.
Air pollution in Hong Kong has been linked to various health issues, including nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness. Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with asthma or respiratory diseases are particularly susceptible to the effects of poor air quality.
