Hong Kong begin monitoring PM2.5

The Hong Kong government has bowed to environmentalist pressure for greater transparency on air quality as it prepares to start releasing hourly reading of PM2.5.

The Environmental Protection Department has started to release real time updates of fine suspended particulates on its website, as measured at 14 locations around the southern trade hub. A spokesman said that the department had been monitoring the particles since 1999, but the results have not being publically released until this week.

The spokesman added that levels of PM2.5 in Hong Kong fell by 17 per cent from 2005 to 2011 as a result of control measures implemented by the Hong Kong and Guangdong provincial governments. He said: "We will continue to collaborate with the Guangdong provincial government on emission reduction measures to further reduce the levels of particulates and other pollutants in Hong Kong."

Several new monitors have been acquired in anticipation of the inclusion of the fine particles as a 'criteria pollutant' in proposed new Air Quality Objectives announced by the government in January in response to strong public pressure.

Light pollution has also been signalled as causing health issues among locals. The bright lights of Hong Kong's skyline are keeping people awake, raising stress levels and causing insomnia for residents.

Posted by Joseph Hutton