This article will aim to explain what air pollution is, look at the source of pollutants, and suggest ways to combat and protect one’s health during high levels of air pollution, from getting a protective face-mask<\/a> to private medical insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n Air pollution is a mix of harmful gases and particles<\/a> that can reach dangerous concentrations, especially in highly congested areas like cities. One adverse pollutant that is responsible for the poor visibility and health effects of residents in Hong Kong is particulate soot.<\/p>\n Particulate soot is a byproduct of burning fossil fuels<\/a> – particularly coal – and can come from a variety of sources, including motor vehicles, combustion of coal for electrical and industrial fuel manufacturing, and slash-and-burn farming. Particulate soot is a major contributor to reduced visibility that is normally seen as haze or smog on a clear day.<\/p>\n PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers. To detect PM2.5, an electron microscope is required as it is invisible to the naked eyes.<\/p>\n The answer is yes. Due to the size of the ultra-fine particles, they tend to stay longer in the air than other heavier particles like PM10<\/a>. As they remain longer in the air, the chances of people breathing in the particulate matter are increased, and the health effects can be detrimental. Health conditions caused by PM2.5 can range from aggravated cardiovascular illnesses to decreased lung function.<\/p>\n Smog<\/a> is derived from the merging of two words – smog and fog. For scenarios like in Hong Kong and other countless cities and countries experiencing air pollution, smog is used to describe the type of fog which has particulate soot in it.<\/p>\n Smog appears as a yellowish or light brown fog formed mainly from a mixture of pollutants in the atmosphere including particulate matter and harmful volatile organic and inorganic compounds such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). It can be seen hovering across the skyline and is worse when concentration levels are so high that it falls to ground level.<\/p>\n Smog is often the result of a combination of factors including high emissions of particulate soot and inorganic by-products, high temperatures, intense sunshine, and calm winds. The time at which smog forms really depends on the temperature. Temperature inversions<\/a> are situations when warm air does not rise and stays near the ground. When this is combined with a clear sky with plenty of sunshine and calm winds, the result is smog that remains concentrated and static for extended periods of time near ground level.<\/p>\n Pollution in Hong Kong seems to be getting worse. According to the South China Morning Post<\/a>, the beginning of October 2019 saw Hong Kong\u2019s air quality return to unhealthy levels of haze and pollution. The forecast by the Environmental Protection Departmen<\/a>t indicated that the Air Quality Health Index<\/a> would increase from moderate to high levels as temperatures fluctuate between 27 to 32 degrees Celsius.<\/p>\n Prolonged spells of sunshine in Hong Kong have also enhanced photochemical smog activity and the rapid formation of ozone and fine particulates in the Pearl River Delta region<\/a>. The high level of ozone produced from combustion activities have promoted the formation of nitrogen dioxide as well.<\/p>\n So far since the beginning of this month, 12 general monitoring stations around Hong Kong have measured the air quality index and results have indicated very high-risk levels. The monitoring station in Tap Mun off Sai Kung recorded a \u2018serious\u2019 level, making the island the worst impacted area of Hong Kong.<\/p>\n The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)<\/a> is compiled by the Environmental Protection Department and is responsible for informing the public of the short-term health risks of air pollution in Hong Kong. The AQHIs are reported on a scale of 1 to 10 and 10+ and are grouped into five AQHI health risk categories. The Environmental Protection Department then releases health advice and warnings to keep members of the public informed of the risks in their area.<\/p>\n Residents can altogether contribute to cleaner air in small ways. At the street level, pollution mainly comes from the emissions of vehicles on the roads of Hong Kong.<\/p>\n Residents and visitors that commute using their own private cars can reduce emission levels by swapping for Hong Kong\u2019s various modes of public transport:<\/p>\n Residents that require the use of private vehicles can help reduce emissions by regularly maintaining them in the following ways:<\/p>\n PM2.5<\/a> are extremely small particles that can easily bypass the nose and throat and penetrate deep into the lungs and eventually via the circulatory systems.<\/p>\n Professor David Hui Shu-Cheong<\/a>, an expert in respiratory medicine at Chinese University, said, \u201cAir pollution increases the risk of exacerbation in patients with existing asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The air pollutants like PM2.5 can cause more inflammation and swelling of the airways leading to more airflow obstructions.\u201d<\/p>\n Health is at stake in places where pollution is generally poor, which is why it pays to be aware of the weather forecast and how to avoid inhaling pollutants.<\/p>\n Awareness and protection are key to reducing the health impact of air pollution on people\u2019s health. It is recommended to do the following during situations where air quality is very poor and dangerous to health.<\/p>\n For expatriates, their loved ones, and the off-the-road traveler or visitor from another country, it is reassuring to know that Hong Kong has one of the most advanced healthcare systems<\/a> in the world and there is a plethora of healthcare options available should treatment be required. With the current levels of pollution, it is highly recommended to have medical insurance as the risks are too high.<\/p>\n Additionally, medical care is not cheap in Hong Kong, with inpatient care at a private hospital costing an average of HKD $4,430<\/a> per day. It\u2019s essential to secure health insurance to offset these high costs. To learn more about your medical insurance options, contact<\/a> our insurance advisors at Pacific Prime Hong Kong<\/a> today.<\/p>\n The advisors are able to help compare international medical insurance<\/a> plans for expats workers, family<\/a> members, and individuals traveling<\/a>, and also offer impartial advice to help simplify insurance plans.<\/p>\n![\"Individual](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/WP-Banner-revamp-final-20221207_1.-Single-final.jpg?resize=700%2C303&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\nWhat is air pollution?<\/h2>\n
Formation of particulate soot<\/h2>\n
Particulate matter – PM2.5<\/h3>\n
Is PM2.5 dangerous?<\/h3>\n
Smog in Hong Kong<\/h2>\n
What does smog look like?<\/h3>\n
How does smog form?<\/h3>\n
How bad is the problem in Hong Kong?<\/h2>\n
What is the air quality health index?<\/h3>\n
How to reduce the impact of air pollution in Hong Kong?<\/h2>\n
Swap private car use for public transport in Hong Kong<\/h3>\n
\n
Vehicle maintenance<\/h3>\n
Keeping the vehicle properly tuned<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
While driving<\/h3>\n
\n
What is the impact of PM2.5 on the health of residents and visitors in Hong Kong?<\/h2>\n
Advice for people living, working, and traveling in Hong Kong<\/h2>\n
\n
Where to get more advice about the best private healthcare insurance in Hong Kong?<\/h2>\n
![\"Get](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HK-BANNER-Couple.jpg?resize=700%2C303&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"