On April 24, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and Guangdong Environmental Protection Bureau (GDEPB) released the 2006 results of the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network.
The network measures the concentrations of major pollutants (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and respirable suspended particulates). In general, the air quality was better in the coastal areas than in the central and northern regions of the Pearl River Delta (PRD), which can be attributed to the relatively more favorable conditions for dispersion of pollutants on the coast.
The overall concentrations of most pollutants were generally higher from January to March and from October to December, and reduced in June and July. Apart from heavier rainfall and higher mixing layer, the relatively clean maritime air stream that prevailed in the PRD under the influence of southern monsoon also accounted for the lower level of pollution during the summer. However, monthly variations in the concentrations of pollutants may change from year to year. Long-term monitoring is required before a general pattern can be established.
Intermittent high levels of pollutants exceeding Class 2 of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (applicable to general residential areas) were recorded in all monitoring locations in 2006, which were mainly triggered by meteorological conditions unfavorable to pollutant dispersion.
In the long term, the monitoring results will help the two regions carry out scientific analysis of the air-quality trends in the PRD. Emission-reduction measures are expected to have a positive impact on the regional air quality. The government expects that after more data are collected, the two regions will be able to scientifically assess the impact and effectiveness of the measures.
Environmental monitoring authorities will continue to monitor the changes in the regional air quality and regularly announce the latest monitoring results. Results for the first half of 2007 are expected in October.
The network is one of the major achievements of cooperation between the two sides in environmental protection. It comprises 16 monitoring stations, 13 of which are in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Zhongshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Shunde, Huiyang, Panyu and Conghua, and three in Tsuen Wan, Tung Chung and Tap Mun of Hong Kong. The network was commissioned November 30, 2005. The Guangdong Provincial Environmental Protection Monitoring Centre and the EPD are respectively responsible for the coordination, management and operation of their monitoring stations.
The report can be found on the GDEPB’s Web site [www.gdepb.gov.cn] and the EPD’s Web site [www.epd.gov.hk].
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