In case you haven’t noticed your eyes watering and your throat stinging when you go outside today, Hong Kong’s Environmental Protection Department (EDP) has released a statement confirming that the pollution is REALLY bad today. You don’t say!
All roadside monitoring stations, apart from good ol’ Tai O and Sha Tin (which are at currently 6 and 7, respectively) are now at 8 out of 10 or above for pollution levels, which converts to mean a “very high” risk to health. Yuen Long, Tuen Mun and Tung Chung have however excelled themselves with a full 10 out of 10 for nasty air. You go, guys!
Wondering why it’s so bad right now? According to the EPD, Hong Kong is currently “under the influence of a continental airstream with sunny periods”, which has resulted in enhanced photochemical smog and the formation of ozone. Team that with the very light winds that are failing to clear the grimness from the streets, and you get a sky like we’ve got today. Simple.
The Observatory predicts that the anticyclone bringing all this sunny weather will gradually strengthen over the next couple of days, resulting in more “very high” or “serious” health warnings, especially in the afternoons.
Children and the elderly are advised to stop running around outside – that includes you, Grandma – and even normal, healthy people are being told to avoid the un-airconned world, especially areas with heavy traffic.
Stay safe kids!
Photo: John Roberts via
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