Why we need to review the standard?

The indecisiveness of the HKSAR Government in improving the air quality in Hong Kong can be shown in the enforcement of desulphurization towards corporations and the power companies. The existing Air Quality Objectives (AQO) that concluded in 1987 shows the passive attitudes of the HKSAR Government. The AQO indicates the acceptance density level of 7 kinds of air pollutants, and acts as a guideline for city planning, environmental impact assessment and manipulating the air pollution index (API). This is why the AQO is important in terms of air pollution control for the HKSAR Government. Yet, the AOQ has not been reviewed and revised since its conclusion in 1987, when compared to the EU and WHO standards, which were concluded in 1999 and 2000 respectively, Hong Kong standard is more outdated than international ones. For Hong Kong, the acceptance density of RSP is 3.6 times of EU, SO₂ is 2.3 to 2.8 times, and CO₂ is 1.5 to 2 times. The EPD stated that the air quality in Hong Kong was up to 95% to 100% standard in the “Hong Kong Air Quality 2002”, which contrasts largely to the reality.