Air pollution may look daunting, but you can contribute to cleaner air in small ways. Here you can learn about the air pollution in Hong Kong, and what you can do about it when driving, at home and at work.

Air pollution is a big issue in Hong Kong, affecting our daily lives in numerous ways. The problems we are facing are mainly street level pollution and regional smog. The Government is working to tackle these problems by controlling car and local power plants emissions, and collaborating with the Guangdong government to improve regional air quality. But there is still much that you can do to help make our city healthier for everyone.

• More on air pollution in Hong Kong
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/air/airquality.htm

The street level pollution mainly comes from emissions of vehicles in the streets. There are a few simple measures that you can take to help solve this problem.

• More on greener transportation
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/public/green/greentransport.htm

There is much we can do at home both to protect the environment and to make our lives healthier.

Energy Consumption

An easy way to help clean the air is to reduce energy consumption at home. By switching off fans, air-conditioners and lights when you don't need them and setting the air-conditioned temperature at 25.5 degree Celsius, you will save energy and money, and reduce air pollution from power stations. You can also choose appliances that have been labelled energy efficient under the Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

We spend more than 70% of our time indoors, either at homes, in offices and other indoor environment. If the indoor environment gets polluted, it may give you headache, itchy eyes, fatigue, respiratory difficulties and skin irritation. Below are some easy tips to follow to improve indoor air quality.

• Maintain adequate air ventilation by opening windows.
• Clean the filters of air conditioners at regular intervals.
• Do not smoke at home.
• Dispose of perishable food properly to avoid odours.
• Report any indoor air quality problems outside your control to the building management.

• More on the Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/energy/efficiencylabel.htm

Another place in which you can help improve air quality is your office. Everyone from business owners to cleaners can make a difference.

• Provide adequate ventilation and do not block air vents or ducts.
• Maintain ventilation systems in a good working condition and clean the filters at regular intervals.
• Relocate photocopiers, which produce ozone, away from the general work area.
• Try to use water-based paints rather than their organic solvent-based equivalents. This will reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds.

The Indoor Air Quality Information Centre can provide you with more information on indoor air pollution and what you can do about it.

• More on the Indoor Air Quality Information Centre
  http://www.iaq.gov.hk/index_eng.asp
• Brochure on improving the air quality in your home (pdf file)
  http://www.iaq.gov.hk/pamphlets/booklet2_en.pdf
• Brochure on improving the air quality in offices (pdf file)
  http://www.iaq.gov.hk/pamphlets/booklet1_en.pdf