Hong Kong air pollution worse than feared

Government audit shows cancer-causing pollutants rising by 200%.

The same audit criticized the government’s ineffective efforts to combat air pollution, saying government has consistently failed to reach its air quality goals since 1987 when they were first adopted.

The report said roadside concentrations of key pollutants in 2011 exceeded the government’s air-quality objectives by up to 53%. Levels of nitrogen dioxide, a known carcinogen, exceeded World Health Organization limits by 205%. Hong Kong saw record roadside pollution levels last year.

The report also found that the average concentration level of nitrogen dioxide last year was 279% higher than in Sydney; 47% higher than in London and 36% higher than in New York.

Levels of “PM10,” which are larger air pollutant particles, were 220%, or 100% and 153% higher than those cities, respectively.

Local green groups praised the report for its candor. Patrick Fung, campaign manager for the Clean Air Network said he had never seen anything similar before from the government. He described the report as a green light for more measures to be carried out by the administration.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying ran for office also on an anti-pollution platform. He has been moving more aggressively than his predecessor to confront the issue of air pollution. His environmental secretary has proposed a ban on old diesel vehicles while he has appointed Christine Loh, a well-known green activist, to serve as undersecretary for environment.

“We will vigorously improve air quality and carefully consider public health when formulating clean-air policies,” Leung told lawmakers last month, including possible efforts to make polluters pay.