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1. Pollution in the PRD

2. Air quality decline looks likely to continue

3. Most cite the smog as a reason to leave

4. Bad-Air Days

5. Draft South West Kowloon Outline Zoning Plan amended

1. Pollution in the PRD
SCMP 17 January 2005

2. Air quality decline looks likely to continue
CHEUNG CHI-FAI, SCMP 17 January 2005

The deterioration of air quality is not likely to level off soon, after the highest level of particulates was recorded in some districts last year, according to a leading scientist on air pollution.

Data obtained from the Environmental Protection Department shows the annual average level of respirable suspended particulates (RSP) in Central and Western, Tung Chung and Yuen Long last year were the highest since 1996.

These stations are on the western side of the city, which experts say is more prone to the impact of pollution from the mainland.

The disclosure came after the Hong Kong Observatory reported the worst visibility on record in 2004, after an increase in suspended particulates in the air.

In Yuen Long, the average RSP level hit 71 micrograms per cubic metre of air, up 16 per cent from the previous year.

Tung Chung also recorded a 14 per cent increase to 62 micrograms, the worst since monitoring started in 1999. Central and Western also saw the level hitting 59 micrograms.

All of these readings breached the annual air quality objective of 55 micrograms. The EPD has yet to compile the monthly and annual average for the remaining 11 monitoring stations.

RSPs, or pollutants with a size smaller than 10 microns, are health hazards, potentially leading to respiratory or lung diseases.

Most of these particulates are generated from the combustion processes of power plants, vehicles, factories, and open burning in the region. Apart from the annual performance, the monthly average data also revealed a disturbing trend of air quality deterioration during the months from June to October, when sea breezes should have brought in fresh air.

For instance, the Tung Chung reading jumped from 17 micrograms in June 2002 to 35 in 2003, and 45 micrograms in 2004.

The last two months, however, showed some relief with the average monthly figures generally lower than in 2003, though they were still significantly higher than 2002.

Alexis Lau Kai-hon, acting director of the Centre for Coastal and Atmospheric Research, said: "There is no evidence to suggest the deterioration has levelled off. Instead, we have seen continuing bad air quality in early January."

EPD data showed that RSP readings in Tung Chung and Yuen Long hit a very high level of over 260 micrograms for some hours between January 3 and 5.

Professor Lau believes the deterioration was caused by increasing emissions in the region while rapid urbanisation in the delta region helped trap the pollutants, preventing dispersion.

Raymond Leung Pak-ming, EPD principal environmental protection officer, said that it was still too early to predict the air quality, as the data could vary from year to year.

3. Most cite the smog as a reason to leave
CHEUNG CHI-FAI, SCMP 17 January 2005

Air pollution in Hong Kong is so bad that more than half the residents in a survey want to move to a cleaner place out of concern for their health.

Many people avoid going outdoors and would be willing to pay more in bills or taxes for cleaner air, the survey found.

Market research firm Synovate interviewed 4,885 people last month in eight Asian cities, including Hong Kong, for their views on air pollution. The other cities were Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Manila.

Almost all 987 Hong Kong respondents said air pollution affected them. Up to 53 per cent said they wanted to move and most of them were worried about the living environment for their children.

Over 66 per cent said they suffered from eye irritation at times of high pollution; 37 per cent experienced breathing problems; and 30 per cent had skin problems.

In some cases, 21 per cent felt emotionally disturbed.

About one-third blamed cross-border emissions for most of the pollution. However, the most-cited source was motor vehicles.

About 70 per cent felt the air quality last year was a little worse or about the same as in 2003.

As a result of these complaints, some have changed their lifestyles to cope with the bad air quality. About 40 per cent tried to avoid too much outdoor activity, while 62 per cent worked hard at staying healthy.

Fifty-eight per cent said they were willing to pay slightly higher bills if power plants and factories could switch to cleaner processes.

Some 68 per cent said they would pay more taxes if the government could do more to clean up the environment.

A similar proportion also supported harsher punishment for companies that pollute the air.

4. Bad-Air Days
SCMP 17 January 2005

5. Draft South West Kowloon Outline Zoning Plan amended
Hong Kong Government, 14 January 2005

The Town Planning Board today (January 14) announced amendments to the draft South West Kowloon Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

The proposed amendments involve the rezoning of an area near the junction of Lai Cheung Road and Hoi Wang Road from "Road" to "Government, Institution or Community" to facilitate the development of an electricity sub-station; and the rezoning of Banyan Garden at 863 Lai Chi Kok Road and Liberte at 833 Lai Chi Kok Road from "Comprehensive Development Area" to "Residential (Group A)7" ("R(A)7") and "Residential (Group A)8" ("R(A)8") respectively to reflect their existing uses.

In connection with the above amendments, the Notes for the "Residential (Group A)" zone have been revised to incorporate the development restrictions for "R(A)7" and "R(A)8" zones.

The draft South West Kowloon OZP No. S/K20/16 incorporating the amendments is now available for public inspection during normal office hours at the following locations:

* Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, 15/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point;

* Tsuen Wan and West Kowloon District Planning Office, 27/F, Tsuen Wan Government Offices, 38 Sai Lau Kok Road, Tsuen Wan;

* Yau Tsim Mong District Office, G/F, Mong Kok Government Offices, 30 Luen Wan Street, Mong Kok; and

* Sham Shui Po District Office, G/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui Po.

Any person affected by the amendments may submit a written objection to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before February 4, 2005.

Copies of the draft plan are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in Yau Ma Tei and North Point. The electronic version of the plan can be viewed on the Town Planning Board's website at http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb.