The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) Monday urged the public to avoid outdoor activities as it forecast that the city’s air quality today – as Monday – will be “bad” again.
According to the Air Quality Index on the SMG website at around 4 p.m. Monday, the roadside station in the peninsula and the ambient stations in Taipa recorded an index of 219 and 204 respectively, reaching the air quality level of “very bad” with the recommendation for outdoor activities being marked as “should not”.
The peninsula’s high density residential area station, the roadside station in Ka Ho and the ambient station in Coloane recorded 187, 173, and 159 respectively, suggesting that outdoor activities are “unsuitable”.
The website defines the Air Quality Index ranging between 101 and 200 as “unsuitable” for outdoor activities.
People who suffer from cardiac or respiratory diseases might experience slightly worsening symptoms, while the general public might experience discomfort.
When the index reaches 201 or above, people suffering from cardiac and respiratory diseases “should not” engage in outdoor activities as their symptoms will obviously worsen, while the general public can expect to experience discomfort.
The observatory said that the air pollutants in the Pearl River Delta region started to deteriorate monday. It forecast that the air quality will only improve in the middle of the week.
The bureau urged the public to be fully aware of poor air quality’s health risks.
