The roadside air pollution index recorded by the Environmental Protection Department showed there were 44 days of "very high pollution" in Central district last year. The figure was significantly higher than 39 days in 2008 and 13 days in 2005 the South China Morning Post said.
"Very high pollution" levels - with the air pollution index exceeding 100 - can significantly aggravate the symptoms of people with heart or respiratory illness, the department said. Healthy people may experience irritation to the eyes, wheezing, coughing and sore throat.
A department spokesman said the trend could be partly attributed to unfavorable weather conditions and that the index did not reflect the full picture. "Selective picking of a certain range of Air Pollution Index readings for comparison will not give a fair and comprehensive picture of how air quality changers over the years.
However, a team of scientists said findings from their own research show that the roadside pollutant levels in Central were two or three times higher than the government figures considering they used mobile measuring devices, while the government used stationary tools.
BE aware, air quality in Hongkong continues to deteriorate due to emissions from the southern Chinese factory belt over Hongkong's northern border and local emissions from power generators and transport. The city has been wrapped in a thick blanket of haze for most days in recent months.
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