HKUST research shows that general EPD air quality is lacking

The Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department runs 14 air quality monitoring stations in Hong Kong. However, does the data collected in those stations reflecting the actual air quality of different districts?

The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology conducted Mobile Air-monitoring Platform (MAP) research, aimed at collecting on-the-road air quality data. MAP is a van equipped with equipment to collect air quality data while in motion. This feature allows it to collect data in a wide area in a relatively short time. Compared to the EPD stations, MAP has a higher mobility.

The main findings of MAP are very important for us to understand Hong Kong air quality. Below are some MAP findings:

1. In Yau Tsim Mong, Nathan Road has a much higher NOx level than the main station. Des Vouex Road Central also records a much higher level of NOx than the main station.
2. Although the traffic on the Island Eastern Corridor is 100% more than the traffic on Nathan Road, the pollutants are much less than those on Nathan Road.

Here are the conclusions made by the researchers:

• Variability of air pollution in a district can be very high
• High capacity roads with good dispersion are better than low capacity roads with poor dispersion
• Open areas are good for lowering pollution in a district
• MAP collect area measurements, but EMP is collecting Point measurements for street level air quality

From MAP data, we know that EPD data is inadequate. It uses a point measurement to represent the air quality of the whole district. Therefore, even if EPD readings state that the pollution level in a district is normal or acceptable, the air pollution levels are generally higher. As a consequence, the data published by EPD is inaccurate.

If you wish to view the MAP’s detailed research results, please download them here:

Part 1
Part 2