HK air reaches harmful levels

People suffering from respiratory and heart ailments were warned to avoid areas of heavy traffic as the air quality deteriorated yesterday

HONGKONG - Hongkong's air quality deteriorated to its worst level in 10 months yesterday, prompting the authorities to propose tougher measures including turning parts of its financial centre into traffic-free zones.

In the wake of this deterioration, the highest recorded since March last year, the environment department yesterday warned people suffering from respiratory and heart ailments to avoid areas of heavy traffic.

The roadside air pollution index (API) was forecast to reach 'very high' levels of between 100 and 140, the department said.

API in Hongkong's popular shopping district of Causeway Bay stood at a high 136, and in the financial centre of Central at 143.

The environment department has warned that API levels of 101 to 200 are potentially hazardous to those suffering respiratory and heart ailments, while measurements in excess of 200 mean all residents should stay indoors.

The government introduced street-level pollution monitoring in June 1998.

Air pollution is causing at least 2,000 premature deaths a year, officials say.

Besides introducing clean air measures including clean vehicular fuel, the government has proposed banning traffic from key Central streets, including Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo, known for its trendy bars and restaurants.

The proposal would see these major roads being limited to pedestrians starting this year.

Hongkong environmental groups have been urging the government to act immediately to curb worsening pollution.

Hongkong officials blamed the haze yesterday on high levels of nitrogen dioxide - one of the main pollutants from diesel-run vehicles - which could not be dispersed due to low wind conditions since Sunday. --AFP