Hong Kong air quality standards could be tightened by early 2025. This could prevent more than 3,000 premature deaths every year and keep about a million people from getting sick.
Earlier this month, officials proposed to further reduce the sulphur content of diesel fuel for ships and industrial use.
This would lower sulphur dioxide emissions, which is a major source of air pollution that can irritate people’s eyes and respiratory systems.
“To continuously improve air quality and strengthen the protection of public health, we … review air quality indicators at least once every five years,” Undersecretary for Environment and Ecology Diane Wong Shuk-han said.
But some lawmakers said they were worried the tightened limits on sulphur content would affect those who work on ships and boats.
Frankie Yick Chi-ming, of the transport functional constituency, said diesel with 0.001 per cent sulphur could be more than 40 per cent more expensive than 0.05 per cent sulphur at the pumps.
“If the government doesn’t do something about [the price difference], our ferries will not be able to function and pleasure vessel operators will be doomed,” Yick said.
Quiz time
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When could the city’s air quality standards be tightened?
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Why is it important to tackle air pollution?
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How often does the government review air quality indicators?
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Who would be affected by these new rules?
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How much pricier could diesel be under tightened limits on sulphur?
Sample answers
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by 2025
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Tackling air pollution would prevent more than 3,000 premature deaths every year and keep about a million people from getting sick. (accept other reasonable answers)
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at least every five years
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Seafarers might be affected by these new rules. (accept other reasonable answers)
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Diesel with 0.001 per cent sulphur could be more than 40 per cent more expensive than 0.05 per cent sulphur.
