Comparisons
Hong Kong’s air is three times more polluted than New York’s and twice as polluted as London’s.
53 percent of the time, the dominance source of Hong Kong’s air pollution comes from local sources (not China).
By the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standards, Hong Kong had just 41 days of healthy, breathable air and just 30 days when it was safe to do sports outdoors.
In 2008, Hong Kong’s air pollution caused 1,100 premature deaths (about 3 avoidable deaths per day).
In 2010, Hong Kong had the worst roadside pollution in its history.
Roadside pollution poses the greatest threat to your health because exposure to a high concentration of pollution is more dangerous.
Sources
Old diesel engines (pre-Euro) are 35 times dirtier than engines that meet the most current standards (Euro V).
Trucks and buses are the most polluting vehicles on our roads, contributing up to 88 percent of particulate and 76 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions.
Trucks make up about 6.9 percent of the total vehicles on the road, but contribute 50% of nitrogen oxide emissions and 55 percent of total particulate matter.
Forty percent of roadside pollution comes from buses.
75 percent of buses are old and dirty (Euro II standard and below).
Given the current rates of retirement, bus companies will be running polluting fleets (Euro II standard and below) for the next twenty years.
About 5% of the buses have adopted Euro IV standard*
Euro V is currently the cleanest diesel engine standard, but only 1% of buses in Hong Kong are retrofitted to Euro V standard in the meantime (Jan 2010).
Policy
Hong Kong’s legal air quality standards permit two to four times more air pollutants than recommended by the WHO.
The Government has not revised Hong Kong’s Air Quality Objectives (AQO) in more than twenty years; therefore they are outdated and cannot adequately protect public health.
Despite the fact they began reviewing the current AQOs three years ago, the Government has yet to announce new air quality standards.
Brain drain
One in four Hong Kong residents are considering leaving because of the poor air quality.
The most educated and wealthiest are the most likely to consider leaving: 52% of post-grad degreeholders (versus 40% in 2008) ; 37% of university graduates (versus 30% in 2008); 42% of managers; 38% of professionals.
Health
A U.S. study found that for every 10ug/m3 PM decrease, life expectancy rose 7 months.
Lung cancer is top cancer killing Beijingers. Doctors believe air pollution is the cause.
Chronic stress increases susceptibility to health effects of air pollution.
Air pollution’s health impacts on adults include:
Cardiac imbalance
Increased appendicitis risk
Rise in blood pressure
Impaired sense of smell and ability to detect toxic irritants
Increased risk of heart attacks and heart and lung-related diseases
Increased risk of breathing problems during sleep
Increased suicide risk due to asthma caused by air pollution
Reduced vitamin D in women
Decreases fertility and reduces chances of IVF success
Increases risk of low birth weight in newborns and pre-term birth
Increased number of age spots and skin aging
Increased risk of breast cancer
Increased risk of lupus disease symptoms in those with the disease
Air pollution’s health impacts on children include:
Permanent damage to lungs and lung function
Increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease.
Increased risk of developing asthma
Increased risk of brain inflammation & nerve cell damage leading to lower IQ, memory & motion impairment
Increased risk of developing cancer
Increased risk of middle-ear infections
Increased obesity risk and insulin resistance
Increased risk of developing autism
Air pollution’s health impacts on seniors include:
Increased risk of catching pneumonia
Increased diabetes risk
More likely to get sick as they have weaker natural defenses;
Lungs are no longer very strong and breathing in pollutants causes further damage.