Typhoon Trami worsens Hong Kong air pollution

Storm helps blanket city with haze and pollutants.

Hong Kong’s air pollution index reached “very high” level yesterday as Severe Tropical Storm Trami that passed through Taiwan trapped pollutants and blanketed the city in haze, triggering a government health warning.

The index was 168 at roadside monitoring stations in the Central Business District at 11:00 am. It was 177 in the commercial district Causeway Bay and 161 in Mong Kok. A reading above 100 triggers a government warning advising people with heart or respiratory illness to avoid prolonged stays in heavy-traffic areas.

Trami led to still air in parts of the Pearl River region. Hong Kong relies on the wind to help sweep away emissions from Chinese factories and vehicles.

Because of the typhoon, the air became almost static causing pollutants to accumulate. Central was reported as pretty bad because of its many skyscrapers.

Hong Kong has never met its air quality targets since they were adopted 26 years ago, according to a government audit in November.