Keynote address for one-day public forum to focus the air pollution debate on health-based facts and science. What policies do the government and the public need to adopt to protect public health for this and future generations? This event has been co-organized by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and Civic Exchange
http://www.dialogue.org.hk
17. 365 DAYS
Dominant: REGIONAL 36%
SOURCE: Relative Significance of Local vs. Regional Sources: Hong Kong’s Air Pollution; Civic Exchange; 2007
18. 365 DAYS
ominant: LOCAL 53%
192 DAYS
Dominant: REGIONAL 36%
SOURCE: Relative Significance of Local vs. Regional Sources: Hong Kong’s Air Pollution; Civic Exchange; 2007
19. 2006
Low Regional Local
DAYS
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
MONTH
SOURCE: Relative Significance of Local vs. Regional Sources: Hong Kong’s Air Pollution; Civic Exchange; 2007
20. 2006
Low Regional Local
DAYS
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
MONTH
SOURCE: Relative Significance of Local vs. Regional Sources: Hong Kong’s Air Pollution; Civic Exchange; 2007
21. 2006
Low Regional Local
DAYS
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
MONTH
SOURCE: Relative Significance of Local vs. Regional Sources: Hong Kong’s Air Pollution; Civic Exchange; 2007
22. 2006
Low Regional Local
DAYS
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
MONTH
SOURCE: Relative Significance of Local vs. Regional Sources: Hong Kong’s Air Pollution; Civic Exchange; 2007
23. 2006
Low Regional Local
DAYS
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
MONTH
SOURCE: Relative Significance of Local vs. Regional Sources: Hong Kong’s Air Pollution; Civic Exchange; 2007
24. 2006
Low Regional Local
DAYS
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
MONTH
SOURCE: Relative Significance of Local vs. Regional Sources: Hong Kong’s Air Pollution; Civic Exchange; 2007
30. FGD Timeline
The Hongkong Electric Co., Ltd.
!quot;#$%&'(
Emissions
Castle Pea
Environme
Emissions Co
Castle Peak P
Environmenta
”
Executive
June 2006
Executive Sum
Environmenta
June21/F Lincoln H
2006
Taikoo Place 9
Island East Ho
Environmental Res
Telephone 227
21/F Facsimile 2723
Lincoln Hous
Taikoo Place 979 K
Island East Hong K
www.erm.com
2011
1992
1994
1995
1996
1993
1998
2002
2004
2007
2009
2010
2012
1999
2000
2001
2003
2005
2006
2008
2013
1997
Telephone 2271 300
Facsimile 2723 5660
www.erm.com
46. 5%
18%
9%
PM SO2 NOx
GROWING EVERY YEAR
MOST POLLUTING FUELS
47. o miscommunication regarding air quality and associated days per month went up to about four in summer
ealth risks. For example, in Foshan, there were 13 high API winter during the 1990s, and eight in the summer
Smog days per month 2006
ays (API over 100) in 2007. However, at one of Foshan’s
ub-stations, Chan Cheng Lian Tang, 84 high API days were
the winter from 2000 onwards.
30
30
25
20
Number of days
15
10
5
0
77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06
Year
Visibility <8km, RH<80%. SOURCE: HKUST
48. o miscommunication regarding air quality and associated days per month went up to about four in summer
ealth risks. For example, in Foshan, there were 13 high API winter during the 1990s, and eight in the summer
Smog days per month 2006
ays (API over 100) in 2007. However, at one of Foshan’s
ub-stations, Chan Cheng Lian Tang, 84 high API days were
the winter from 2000 onwards.
30
30
25
20
Number of days
15
10
5
0
77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06
Year
Visibility <8km, RH<80%. SOURCE: HKUST
51. Average Levels 1994-2007
PM10 SO2 NO2
100
Roadside
Roadside
Annual Mean Concentration (µg/m3)
75 AQO AQO
AQO
Urban
50
Urban
WHO 1yr
Roadside Urban
25
WHO 1yr
WHO 24hr
0
1994-2007 1994-2007 1994-2007
SOURCE: HKUST
52. HK vs WHO
PM10 SO2 NO2
100
80 80
Annual Mean Concentration (µg/m3)
75 AQO AQO
55 2x
50
AQO 4x
40
2.5x WHO 1yr
25
20 20
WHO 1yr WHO 24hr
0
58. Due to HK’s Air Pollution...
Hong Kong's Silent Epidemic - Public Opinion Survey on Air Pollution, Environment and Public Health 2008
SOURCE: Hong Kong's Silent Epidemic - Public Opinion Survey on Air Pollution, Environment and Public Health 2008; Civic Exchange
59. Due to HK’s Air Pollution...
1/10 Go to hospital -
Mostly productive, working citizens
1/10 Miss school / work
1/5 Shortness of breath,
sore chest, asthma
1/4 Buy medicines
Hong Kong's Silent Epidemic - Public Opinion Survey on Air Pollution, Environment and Public Health 2008
1/3 Go to a clinic -
Mostly productive, working citizens
1/2 Coughing, choking
stinging itchy eyes
2/3 Close windows, turn on a/c
2/3 Stay indoors, limit activities
SOURCE: Hong Kong's Silent Epidemic - Public Opinion Survey on Air Pollution, Environment and Public Health 2008; Civic Exchange
60. 2008
according to the
1,155
81,023
7,250,000
HK$2,317,130,000
SOURCE: hedleyindex.sph.hku.hk
Notas do Editor
Air pollution has become a serious concern for the people of this city.
That’s why you are here.
But we’re not alone – Other cities have also faced serious air pollution, and many have made great advances to fix the problem. The good news is . . . Hong Kong too can do very much better.
In the next few minutes, we will explore the nature and characteristics of Hong Kong’s air pollution, as well as appreciate that there are solutions.
So, Be Air Aware.
Everyone from the government to business to civil society has a role to play in cleaning-up the air for the sake of our own health, for the sake of our economy, as well as for the sake of Planet Earth.
Firstly:
Let’s have a look at the chemicals that make up the most important forms of air pollution in Hong Kong.
Particulate Matter or “PM” - comes mostly from power plants and vehicles.
PM is associated with increased risks of diseases of the lungs, heart disease and blood vessels throughout the body. It is a major cause of extra doctor visits in this city for chest complaints. Reports from mainland China also point to damage to the unborn child in pregnant mothers caused by PM.
Firstly:
Let’s have a look at the chemicals that make up the most important forms of air pollution in Hong Kong.
Particulate Matter or “PM” - comes mostly from power plants and vehicles.
PM is associated with increased risks of diseases of the lungs, heart disease and blood vessels throughout the body. It is a major cause of extra doctor visits in this city for chest complaints. Reports from mainland China also point to damage to the unborn child in pregnant mothers caused by PM.
Firstly:
Let’s have a look at the chemicals that make up the most important forms of air pollution in Hong Kong.
Particulate Matter or “PM” - comes mostly from power plants and vehicles.
PM is associated with increased risks of diseases of the lungs, heart disease and blood vessels throughout the body. It is a major cause of extra doctor visits in this city for chest complaints. Reports from mainland China also point to damage to the unborn child in pregnant mothers caused by PM.
Firstly:
Let’s have a look at the chemicals that make up the most important forms of air pollution in Hong Kong.
Particulate Matter or “PM” - comes mostly from power plants and vehicles.
PM is associated with increased risks of diseases of the lungs, heart disease and blood vessels throughout the body. It is a major cause of extra doctor visits in this city for chest complaints. Reports from mainland China also point to damage to the unborn child in pregnant mothers caused by PM.
Firstly:
Let’s have a look at the chemicals that make up the most important forms of air pollution in Hong Kong.
Particulate Matter or “PM” - comes mostly from power plants and vehicles.
PM is associated with increased risks of diseases of the lungs, heart disease and blood vessels throughout the body. It is a major cause of extra doctor visits in this city for chest complaints. Reports from mainland China also point to damage to the unborn child in pregnant mothers caused by PM.
In Hong Kong Sulphur Dioxide or “SO2” is very strongly linked to premature deaths from heart and lung conditions and research here has shown that if you reduce SO2 you will protect the health of both children and older people.
There’s lots of SO2 produced in Hong Kong, overwhelmingly from power plants.
In Hong Kong Sulphur Dioxide or “SO2” is very strongly linked to premature deaths from heart and lung conditions and research here has shown that if you reduce SO2 you will protect the health of both children and older people.
There’s lots of SO2 produced in Hong Kong, overwhelmingly from power plants.
In Hong Kong Sulphur Dioxide or “SO2” is very strongly linked to premature deaths from heart and lung conditions and research here has shown that if you reduce SO2 you will protect the health of both children and older people.
There’s lots of SO2 produced in Hong Kong, overwhelmingly from power plants.
Oxides of Nitrogen or “NOx” for short – there’s lots of it produced in Hong Kong mainly from power plants, vehicles, and ships & ports.
There are several types of nitrogen oxides and one we will see later is “Nitrogen Dioxide” or “NO2”. Nitrogen dioxide, mostly produced from traffic exhausts, harms children and retards the growth and development of their lungs and amplifies the harm caused by other pollutants like PM.
There are other harmful chemicals in our air, including Volatile Organic Compounds and Ozone – but for now we’ll focus on the big three: PM, SO2 and NOx.
Now, sometimes we hear that all of Hong Kong’s air pollution comes from the Mainland, . . . and we can’t do much about it.
Let us look at this assumption more closely.
While a lot of pollution in the atmosphere above Hong Kong may come from the Mainland, the pollution nearer to the ground that we breathe every day is produced locally.
Let’s look at this in terms of the time of exposure.
Oxides of Nitrogen or “NOx” for short – there’s lots of it produced in Hong Kong mainly from power plants, vehicles, and ships & ports.
There are several types of nitrogen oxides and one we will see later is “Nitrogen Dioxide” or “NO2”. Nitrogen dioxide, mostly produced from traffic exhausts, harms children and retards the growth and development of their lungs and amplifies the harm caused by other pollutants like PM.
There are other harmful chemicals in our air, including Volatile Organic Compounds and Ozone – but for now we’ll focus on the big three: PM, SO2 and NOx.
Now, sometimes we hear that all of Hong Kong’s air pollution comes from the Mainland, . . . and we can’t do much about it.
Let us look at this assumption more closely.
While a lot of pollution in the atmosphere above Hong Kong may come from the Mainland, the pollution nearer to the ground that we breathe every day is produced locally.
Let’s look at this in terms of the time of exposure.
Research in 2006 shows that Hong Kong’s air is generally fit to breathe on only 41 days of the year.
For the remaining 324 days of the year, breathing Hong Kong’s air has greater health risks.
On 132 of these bad air days, the dominant air pollution comes from regional sources in Southern China.
For the remaining 192 days, the air quality is dominated by pollution from local Hong Kong sources.
Research in 2006 shows that Hong Kong’s air is generally fit to breathe on only 41 days of the year.
For the remaining 324 days of the year, breathing Hong Kong’s air has greater health risks.
On 132 of these bad air days, the dominant air pollution comes from regional sources in Southern China.
For the remaining 192 days, the air quality is dominated by pollution from local Hong Kong sources.
Research in 2006 shows that Hong Kong’s air is generally fit to breathe on only 41 days of the year.
For the remaining 324 days of the year, breathing Hong Kong’s air has greater health risks.
On 132 of these bad air days, the dominant air pollution comes from regional sources in Southern China.
For the remaining 192 days, the air quality is dominated by pollution from local Hong Kong sources.
This graph tells the same story in a different way:
•The blue parts are the 41 low pollution days;
•The brown parts are the 132 days when pollution is dominated by regional sources; and …
•The yellow parts are the 192 days that pollution is dominated by local sources.
I can see at least one striking feature of this chart – There were no safe days in April in 2006, so perhaps it’s best not to breathe at all for the whole of that month
And if you must breathe heavily, then the best month to do that is August
When deciding where to tackle air pollution first, the most logical place to start would be the pollution that is within our control – in other words – the local Hong Kong pollution that dominates air quality for about half the time in a year.
This graph tells the same story in a different way:
•The blue parts are the 41 low pollution days;
•The brown parts are the 132 days when pollution is dominated by regional sources; and …
•The yellow parts are the 192 days that pollution is dominated by local sources.
I can see at least one striking feature of this chart – There were no safe days in April in 2006, so perhaps it’s best not to breathe at all for the whole of that month
And if you must breathe heavily, then the best month to do that is August
When deciding where to tackle air pollution first, the most logical place to start would be the pollution that is within our control – in other words – the local Hong Kong pollution that dominates air quality for about half the time in a year.
This graph tells the same story in a different way:
•The blue parts are the 41 low pollution days;
•The brown parts are the 132 days when pollution is dominated by regional sources; and …
•The yellow parts are the 192 days that pollution is dominated by local sources.
I can see at least one striking feature of this chart – There were no safe days in April in 2006, so perhaps it’s best not to breathe at all for the whole of that month
And if you must breathe heavily, then the best month to do that is August
When deciding where to tackle air pollution first, the most logical place to start would be the pollution that is within our control – in other words – the local Hong Kong pollution that dominates air quality for about half the time in a year.
This graph tells the same story in a different way:
•The blue parts are the 41 low pollution days;
•The brown parts are the 132 days when pollution is dominated by regional sources; and …
•The yellow parts are the 192 days that pollution is dominated by local sources.
I can see at least one striking feature of this chart – There were no safe days in April in 2006, so perhaps it’s best not to breathe at all for the whole of that month
And if you must breathe heavily, then the best month to do that is August
When deciding where to tackle air pollution first, the most logical place to start would be the pollution that is within our control – in other words – the local Hong Kong pollution that dominates air quality for about half the time in a year.
This graph tells the same story in a different way:
•The blue parts are the 41 low pollution days;
•The brown parts are the 132 days when pollution is dominated by regional sources; and …
•The yellow parts are the 192 days that pollution is dominated by local sources.
I can see at least one striking feature of this chart – There were no safe days in April in 2006, so perhaps it’s best not to breathe at all for the whole of that month
And if you must breathe heavily, then the best month to do that is August
When deciding where to tackle air pollution first, the most logical place to start would be the pollution that is within our control – in other words – the local Hong Kong pollution that dominates air quality for about half the time in a year.
This graph tells the same story in a different way:
•The blue parts are the 41 low pollution days;
•The brown parts are the 132 days when pollution is dominated by regional sources; and …
•The yellow parts are the 192 days that pollution is dominated by local sources.
I can see at least one striking feature of this chart – There were no safe days in April in 2006, so perhaps it’s best not to breathe at all for the whole of that month
And if you must breathe heavily, then the best month to do that is August
When deciding where to tackle air pollution first, the most logical place to start would be the pollution that is within our control – in other words – the local Hong Kong pollution that dominates air quality for about half the time in a year.
So where does local pollution come from?
There are three major sources that we’ve already mentioned:
Power plants
Road vehicles
Ships and ports
Aviation and the airport are also relevant but in view of time, let’s focus on the other three.
So where does local pollution come from?
There are three major sources that we’ve already mentioned:
Power plants
Road vehicles
Ships and ports
Aviation and the airport are also relevant but in view of time, let’s focus on the other three.
So where does local pollution come from?
There are three major sources that we’ve already mentioned:
Power plants
Road vehicles
Ships and ports
Aviation and the airport are also relevant but in view of time, let’s focus on the other three.
Let’s start with power plants.
Here’s the pollution profile for power plants.
In terms of total quantities of pollutants, power plants emit by far the most emissions.
How polluting they are depends on what kind of fuel they burn, and how well they are managed and regulated. Plants burning coal are the most polluting.
So, can power plants be less polluting?
•Well, a major initiative is being implemented …
Hong Kong’s power plants are being fitted with a technology called “Flue Gas Desulphurisation” - FGD. When FGD becomes operational in phases from later this year, we can expect dramatic reductions in pollution from power plants over the next few years.
So, can power plants be less polluting?
•Well, a major initiative is being implemented …
Hong Kong’s power plants are being fitted with a technology called “Flue Gas Desulphurisation” - FGD. When FGD becomes operational in phases from later this year, we can expect dramatic reductions in pollution from power plants over the next few years.
So, can power plants be less polluting?
•Well, a major initiative is being implemented …
Hong Kong’s power plants are being fitted with a technology called “Flue Gas Desulphurisation” - FGD. When FGD becomes operational in phases from later this year, we can expect dramatic reductions in pollution from power plants over the next few years.
So, can power plants be less polluting?
•Well, a major initiative is being implemented …
Hong Kong’s power plants are being fitted with a technology called “Flue Gas Desulphurisation” - FGD. When FGD becomes operational in phases from later this year, we can expect dramatic reductions in pollution from power plants over the next few years.
So, can power plants be less polluting?
•Well, a major initiative is being implemented …
Hong Kong’s power plants are being fitted with a technology called “Flue Gas Desulphurisation” - FGD. When FGD becomes operational in phases from later this year, we can expect dramatic reductions in pollution from power plants over the next few years.
So, can power plants be less polluting?
•Well, a major initiative is being implemented …
Hong Kong’s power plants are being fitted with a technology called “Flue Gas Desulphurisation” - FGD. When FGD becomes operational in phases from later this year, we can expect dramatic reductions in pollution from power plants over the next few years.
So, can power plants be less polluting?
•Well, a major initiative is being implemented …
Hong Kong’s power plants are being fitted with a technology called “Flue Gas Desulphurisation” - FGD. When FGD becomes operational in phases from later this year, we can expect dramatic reductions in pollution from power plants over the next few years.
So, can power plants be less polluting?
•Well, a major initiative is being implemented …
Hong Kong’s power plants are being fitted with a technology called “Flue Gas Desulphurisation” - FGD. When FGD becomes operational in phases from later this year, we can expect dramatic reductions in pollution from power plants over the next few years.
•Another way is to switch to cleaner fuels.
For example, natural gas is much cleaner than coal ... So the question is: How soon can Hong Kong access even more gas than what is available today?
•And yet another way to reduce pollution is for power plants to become more efficient in their power generation, producing more electricity for every unit of fossil fuel burned.
Using the most efficient technology available, improving management and maintenance practices, as well as rewarding efficiency through regulation, are all important.
•Finally, even where power plants must burn coal, some types of coal are less polluting than others. Using ultra-low sulphur coal will reduce sulphur-related emissions. However, the power utilities must be able to source the better types of coal.
Let’s look at vehicles next.
Vehicles are the second largest source of air pollution in Hong Kong, accounting for almost a third of all PM and a quarter of all NOx for the whole territory.
While power plants produce the greatest quantity of air pollution, vehicles produce the air pollution with the greatest health impacts.
This is because vehicles are emitting pollution right in the heart of the city, where we all live, shop, work, exercise and travel every day. Vehicular PM, especially from diesel vehicles, represents the dominant public health threat for a very large number of people..
At least 80% of the PM and NOx produced by vehicles comes from the 120,000 commercial vehicles that run on diesel.
There is no disputing diesel-powered trucks are the most polluting vehicles. Many of them have very old engines, and even if ultra-low sulphur diesel is used, emissions from these old engines are much worse than those from a new engine.
At least 80% of the PM and NOx produced by vehicles comes from the 120,000 commercial vehicles that run on diesel.
There is no disputing diesel-powered trucks are the most polluting vehicles. Many of them have very old engines, and even if ultra-low sulphur diesel is used, emissions from these old engines are much worse than those from a new engine.
Roadside pollution in Hong Kong is very high on a daily basis because of Hong Kong’s urban environment. Congested roads between tall buildings create the ‘street canyon effect’ trapping pollution that is hard to disperse.
Now let’s look at ships and ports.
Hong Kong and its sister port at Shenzhen handle an amazing 10% of the world’s shipping container throughput.
Together they create by far the largest number of marine movements in a small area - in fact, 70% bigger than their closest Asian rival, Singapore – and the numbers are still growing.
Now let’s look at ships and ports.
Hong Kong and its sister port at Shenzhen handle an amazing 10% of the world’s shipping container throughput.
Together they create by far the largest number of marine movements in a small area - in fact, 70% bigger than their closest Asian rival, Singapore – and the numbers are still growing.
Now let’s look at ships and ports.
Hong Kong and its sister port at Shenzhen handle an amazing 10% of the world’s shipping container throughput.
Together they create by far the largest number of marine movements in a small area - in fact, 70% bigger than their closest Asian rival, Singapore – and the numbers are still growing.
Now let’s look at ships and ports.
Hong Kong and its sister port at Shenzhen handle an amazing 10% of the world’s shipping container throughput.
Together they create by far the largest number of marine movements in a small area - in fact, 70% bigger than their closest Asian rival, Singapore – and the numbers are still growing.
Now let’s look at ships and ports.
Hong Kong and its sister port at Shenzhen handle an amazing 10% of the world’s shipping container throughput.
Together they create by far the largest number of marine movements in a small area - in fact, 70% bigger than their closest Asian rival, Singapore – and the numbers are still growing.
Now let’s look at ships and ports.
Hong Kong and its sister port at Shenzhen handle an amazing 10% of the world’s shipping container throughput.
Together they create by far the largest number of marine movements in a small area - in fact, 70% bigger than their closest Asian rival, Singapore – and the numbers are still growing.
Now let’s look at ships and ports.
Hong Kong and its sister port at Shenzhen handle an amazing 10% of the world’s shipping container throughput.
Together they create by far the largest number of marine movements in a small area - in fact, 70% bigger than their closest Asian rival, Singapore – and the numbers are still growing.
Now let’s look at ships and ports.
Hong Kong and its sister port at Shenzhen handle an amazing 10% of the world’s shipping container throughput.
Together they create by far the largest number of marine movements in a small area - in fact, 70% bigger than their closest Asian rival, Singapore – and the numbers are still growing.
Now let’s look at ships and ports.
Hong Kong and its sister port at Shenzhen handle an amazing 10% of the world’s shipping container throughput.
Together they create by far the largest number of marine movements in a small area - in fact, 70% bigger than their closest Asian rival, Singapore – and the numbers are still growing.
Now let’s look at ships and ports.
Hong Kong and its sister port at Shenzhen handle an amazing 10% of the world’s shipping container throughput.
Together they create by far the largest number of marine movements in a small area - in fact, 70% bigger than their closest Asian rival, Singapore – and the numbers are still growing.
Now let’s look at ships and ports.
Hong Kong and its sister port at Shenzhen handle an amazing 10% of the world’s shipping container throughput.
Together they create by far the largest number of marine movements in a small area - in fact, 70% bigger than their closest Asian rival, Singapore – and the numbers are still growing.
Now let’s look at ships and ports.
Hong Kong and its sister port at Shenzhen handle an amazing 10% of the world’s shipping container throughput.
Together they create by far the largest number of marine movements in a small area - in fact, 70% bigger than their closest Asian rival, Singapore – and the numbers are still growing.
Now let’s look at ships and ports.
Hong Kong and its sister port at Shenzhen handle an amazing 10% of the world’s shipping container throughput.
Together they create by far the largest number of marine movements in a small area - in fact, 70% bigger than their closest Asian rival, Singapore – and the numbers are still growing.
Now let’s look at ships and ports.
Hong Kong and its sister port at Shenzhen handle an amazing 10% of the world’s shipping container throughput.
Together they create by far the largest number of marine movements in a small area - in fact, 70% bigger than their closest Asian rival, Singapore – and the numbers are still growing.