Hong Kong Air Quality Review January ~ June, Clean Air Network

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Amice James
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1 Hong Kong Air Quality Review January ~ June, 212 Clean Air Network July 212

2 Highlight From January to June All air pollutant levels (NO2, PM1, PM2.5, SO2, and O3) exceeded the World Health Organization s (WHO) annual guidelines at all monitoring stations in Hong Kong, with only two exceptions. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels at all stations (except the regional station Tap Mun) exceeded Hong Kong s new Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) annual standard, indicating that the NO2 situation continues to be grim, particularly at the roadside. PM1 and PM2.5 levels exceeded the WHO s annual guidelines by two to three times, posing a significant health threat to the general population. The new AQOs for sulphur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), PM1, and PM2.5 do not set the bar high enough and make little to no difference, compared to the current AQOs, in regulating current SO2, O3, PM1 and PM2.5 levels. Air pollution killed 1,459 people for the first six months of 212, which is four times more deaths than the total number of deaths caused by SARS in Hong Kong in 23. There is, in general, a decreasing trend in the amount of overall air pollution in Hong Kong, most likely due to the improvements in regional air quality.

3 ug/m3 Air Quality by Pollutants Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) NO2 levels at all stations (except Tap Mun) exceeded the WHO s annual guideline and the new AQO annual standard (4 µg/m 3 ), demonstrating the dominant influence of local pollution sources; NO2 pollution at roadside stations was two times worse than at general stations, indicating significant impact from vehicle emissions NO /New HKAQO annual Data source: EPD

4 ug/m3 ug/m3 PM1 and PM2.5 Both PM1 and PM2.5 levels at all stations exceeded the WHO annual guidelines (2 µg/m 3 and 1 µg/m 3 ) by 2 to 3 times, posing a significant health threat to the general population; PM1 and PM2.5 levels at Causeway Bay exceeded the new HKAQO annual standards PM1 New AQO annual standard New AQO annual standard PM2.5 Data source: EPD

5 ug/m3 Sulphur dioxide (SO2) SO2 levels at all stations exceeded the (5 µg/m 3 *); Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung had the highest SO2 levels among all stations, indicating significant contribution from ship emissions SO2 8 6 * 4 2 Data source: EPD Note: * based on distribution model (Lai et al 211)

6 Comparison of Standard Exceedances Observation #1: The number of exceedances for 24-hr SO2 is exactly the same under the current AQO and the new AQO. (Refer to Table 1.) Similarly, the number of exceedances for 1-hr O3 under the current AQO is almost the same as the number of exceedances for 8-hr O3 under the new AQO. Indication: The new AQOs for 24-hr SO2 and 8-hr O3 do not set the bar high enough and make no difference, when compared to the current AQOs, in regulating current SO2 and O3 levels. Table 1. Number of exceedances for 24-hr SO2 Under Current Under WHO AQO (35 Under New AQO Guideline (2 µg/m 3 ) (125 µg/m 3 ) µg/m 3 ) Central/Western 9 Eastern 3 Kwai Chung 44 Kwun Tong 5 Sha Tin 5 Sham Shui Po 27 Tai Po Tap Mun 1 Tsuen Wan 54 Tung Chung 16 Yuen Long 4 Causeway Bay (Roadside) 7 Central (Roadside) 13 Mong Kok (Roadside) 13

7 Table 2. Number of exceedances for 8-hr/1-hr O3 Under Current AQO 1-hr (24 µg/m 3 ) Under New AQO 8- hr (16 µg/m 3 ) Under WHO Guideline 8-hr (1 µg/m 3 ) Central/Western 7 Eastern 1 Kwai Chung 6 Kwun Tong 8 Sha Tin 33 Sham Shui Po Tai Po 7 Tap Mun 86 Tsuen Wan 4 Tung Chung 5 31 Yuen Long 2 1 Observation #2: The number of exceedances for 24-hr PM1 are not much different between the current AQOs and new AQOs, however, significant difference was still found between the new AQO and WHO guideline. (Refer to Table 3.) Indication: The new AQO is slightly more stringent than the current AQO for 24-hr PM1, but still far too lax compared to the WHO s guideline. Table 3. Number of exceedances for 24-hr PM1 Under Current AQO (18 µg/m 3 ) Under New AQO (1 µg/m 3 ) Under WHO Guideline (5 µg/m 3 ) Central/Western 2 59 Eastern 2 35 Kwai Chung 2 49 Kwun Tong 2 45 Sha Tin 2 44 Sham Shui Po 2 46 Tai Po 2 47 Tap Mun 2 34

8 Tsuen Wan 2 51 Tung Chung 9 62 Yuen Long 3 45 Causeway Bay (Roadside) Central (Roadside) 3 7 Mong Kok (Roadside) 3 58 Observation #3: The number of exceedances for 24-hr PM2.5 is significantly different between the new AQO and the WHO guideline. There is almost no exceedance of 24-hr PM2.5 under the new AQO. (Refer to Table 4.) Indication: The new AQO for 24-hr PM2.5 is extremely lax when compared to the WHO s guideline and provides little constrains in regulating current PM2.5 levels. Table 4. Number of exceedances for 24-hr PM2.5 Under Current AQO Under New AQO (75 µg/m 3 ) Under WHO Guideline (25 µg/m 3 ) Central/Western - 85 Eastern - 61 Kwai Chung - 94 Kwun Tong - 77 Sha Tin - 66 Sham Shui Po - 8 Tai Po Tap Mun - 71 Tsuen Wan - 77 Tung Chung Yuen Long - 73 Causeway Bay (Roadside) Central (Roadside) Mong Kok (Roadside) - 111

9 Air Pollution Health Cost The Hedley Environmental Index estimated that, from January to June 212, air pollution led to 1,459 premature deaths, 18,517 million in dollars lost, 71,955 hospitalizations, and 3.41 million doctor visits. The death toll due to air pollution for the first six months in 212 is four times higher than the total number of deaths caused by SARS in Hong Kong in 23. Table 5. Estimates of health costs by the Hedley Environmental Index during the first six months of 212 Jan Jun 212 Premature Deaths 1459 Dollar Cost (million HKD) Hospital Bed Days Doctor Visits (million) 3.41 Source: Hedley Environmental Index ( Air Pollution Trend There is, in general, a decreasing trend in the overall air pollution in Hong Kong, although levels of all pollutants are still far above the WHO s annual guidelines. (Refer to Appendix.) The decreasing trend of air pollution in the first six months of 212 is likely due to the improvements in regional air quality in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) area. (Refer to Table 6.) Table 6. Regional vs. Hong Kong air quality improvement (26-211) % of change in annual PM1 NO2 SO2 O3 concentration (26-211) Regional 14% 13% 49% 21% Hong Kong 12% 12% 41% 14% Source: Regional Co-operation Plan on Building a Quality Living Area

10 Policy Recommendations AQOs more stringent than the ones currently proposed are needed to incentivize further reduction of air pollution and serve the purpose of protecting public health. Continue the joint effort with the PRD administration to improve regional air quality. Hasten local efforts to reduce roadside emissions via early replacement of commercial diesel vehicles (mainly old trucks and buses). Control ship emissions by enacting laws requiring a mandatory switch to fuels with less than.1 percent sulphur content for all marine vessels in Hong Kong waters. Coordinate with the PRD administration to set up low emission zones in the greater PRD waters.

11 ug/m3 ug/m3 Appendix. Hong Kong Air Pollution Trend PM1 General Roadside 6 5 PM General Roadside

12 ug/m3 ug/m3 14 NO General Roadside 35 3 SO General Roadside

13 ug/m O3 General

Ex-gratia payment scheme for phasing out pre-euro IV diesel commercial vehicles. Notes for Application

Ex-gratia payment scheme for phasing out pre-euro IV diesel commercial vehicles Notes for Application The Ex-gratia Payment Scheme To improve Hong Kong s roadside air quality and better protect public