AIR POLLUTION:Hong Kong’s Biggest Public Health Crisis

WHAT IS

CLEAN AIR NETWORK?

Why now?

• The Government announced its intention to revise Hong Kong’s Air Quality Objectives for the first time in 20 years in July 2009.

• NOW is a precious window of opportunity to influence air quality policy.

THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF HONG KONG AIR POLLUTION

In 2008, Hong Kong people suffered:In 2008, Hong Kong people suffered:

1,1151,115Avoidable deathsAvoidable deaths

81,02381,023Avoidable hospital daysAvoidable hospital days

7,250,0007,250,000Avoidable doctor visitsAvoidable doctor visits

$2,31billion$2,31billionAvoidable dollar costAvoidable dollar cost

And untold coughs, sore throats, itchy eyes…. And untold coughs, sore throats, itchy eyes….

WHO IS AFFECTED?

During days with high air pollution, more people with asthma, chronic lung diseases or heart diseases seek medical help or are admitted to hospitals because their conditions worsen.

Air pollution causes SEVERAL THOUSAND PREMATURE DEATHS A YEAR in HK.

EVERYONE.People living in polluted areas die 2 or 3 years earlier than people living in cleaner environments.

CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY SICK are most vulnerable to air pollution.

HOW DOES AIR POLLUTION AFFECT THE BODY?

Tiny particles and gases move deep into our lungs and bloodstream, damaging and inflaming lung and vascular tissue:

• Makes it easier for us to get sick•Over time, air pollution can cause PERMANENT ADVERSE CHANGES to our lungs, just like smoking.•A small INCREASE IN LUNG CANCER RISK has also been reported as a result of living in heavily polluted cities.

HEALTH IMPACTS ON CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS

• Pregnant mothers exposed to high levels of roadside pollution had kids with lower IQs.

• Developing lungs are more vulnerable: Children breathe faster and tend to spend more time outdoors being active. Thus, air pollution affects them much more.

• Children living in areas with heavy traffic have more

chest problems, such as lung infections and asthma, than those living in cleaner environments.

OTHER SHOCKING FACTSABOUT HONG KONG

AIR POLLUTION

In 2006, Hong Kong had just

41days of healthy,breathable, air and just

30 days on which it was safe to do sport outdoors.

SOURCE: HKUST

DID YOU KNOW?

Storm Crypt@flickrtriin@flickr dreamingyakker@flickr

OUR AIR IS…

worse than

1.7×worse than

Singapore

1.3×Tokyo New York

3×worse than

When it comes to health,

the main problem isroadside pollution,not Guangdong

40% of roadsideemissions come from BUSES

You CAN make a difference!

Things You CAN Do to help us clean up the air in HK:

DONATE COMMUNICATE OR WRITE TO POLITICIANS

ASSIST TO CONDUCT PETITION SIGN-UP

INVITE CAN TO EDUCATE YOUR COMPANY OR OFFICE

EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR CLEAN AIR TO MEDIA

CAN is encouraging Hong Kongers to speak out about air pollution by

SIGNING OUR PETITION “Air pollution is Hong Kong’s most

serious public health crisis, killing over 1,100 people every year. I urge the government to improve our air quality until pollution is no longer a significant threat to our health.”