TNAG-1980-FCO40-2813-Pollution-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 47

CONFIDENTIAL

35

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CHAPTER 4

AIR QUALITY

4.1

Some

1. 5

to

2 million

unacceptable1

levels

dioxide and

particu late

about 3

levels.

peop le

are

exposed to

These

of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen

million people are exposed to high

Many

peop le are exposed to unacceptable1 levels of all three pollutants.

pollutants, particularly when combined, can seriously

affect health, especially of those who are less robust,

such as the elderly, the very young and those already

suffering from illness.

4.2

the

asthma and bronchitis. The

in many parts of Hong Kong

condition of those already

The most common adverse health effects of these

pollutants take

form of increased incidence of

respiratory illnesses, such as

high leve ls of air pollution

must seriously aggravate the

suffering from such illnesses and contribute to the onset

of chronic conditions. Other health effects such as lung

cancer

are

can be caused by air pollution, as certain air

pollutants, such as those emitted from diesel vehicles,

known to be carcinogenic.

4.3

very

Air pollution in Hong Kong costs the community

large sums of money.

Although it is impossible to be

hundreds of millions of dollars are spent every

precise,

(1 'unacceptable' means exceeding the

Air Quality Objectives at figure 1.)

CONFIDENTIAL