500-Point Pollution

In Hong Kong, a reading of 200 on the outdated 500-point air pollution index is considered severe.

So when the index pings off the scale at 10 of 14 air quality monitoring stations, it's best to stay indoors. A northern Chinese sandstorm was to blame, hitting the Big Lychee and causing the pollution reading to increase 600 per cent. In Eastern district, respirable suspended pollution particles known as PM10 (not larger than 10 microns) hit 770 micrograms per cubic metre of air in Eastern district, more than 15 times the World Health Organisation guideline of 50 micrograms per cubic metre.

By 9pm, the index topped out at 500 in Eastern, Causeway Bay, Central, Western, Kwun Tong, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Tap Mun, Sha Tin and Tai Po, but I knew we were in trouble when I got up in the morning and couldn't see Cloudy Hill (in Tai Po) from the window. It is the highest reading since 1989, but the worst part is the Environmental Protection Department said the index can't go any higher even if the pollution is worse; if you tried to jump out the window, you'd just bounce back.

It was a good day to stay indoors, preferably in a space with a proper air purifier, and the prediction is that the pollution index will range from 250 to 490 as a monsoon arrives to push the sandstorm and pollutants out. In a couple of days the air should be much better.

So when you watch the news and see Hong Kong blanketed in smog thick enough to stop traffic, remember it isn't like that every day.

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