Hong Kong’s pollution comes from China and Hong Kong

1. Hong Kong’s pollution comes from China and Hong Kong In terms of weight (tons) the Pearl River Delta contributes the most pollution BUT Hong Kong produces pollution at a greater concentration. Exposure to a high concentration of pollution is more dangerous. Greater amount (tonnage) but pollutants spread out. When there is a high concentration of pollution you breathe in MORE dangerous pollutants High concentration. Many pollutants in a small area For example.: 1 ton of pollution from a power plant in China And 1 ton of pollution from a car in central The same amount of pollution is being produced BUT the pollution from the car is MORE DANGEROUS to our health because we are directly exposed to the pollution at a higher concentration. • Our air polutionis caused from: • The most DANGEROUS pollution comes from VEHICLES. • Cars, buses and trucks release EMISSIONS FUMES and SMOKE. These you can SEE and SMELL. BUT there are also poisonous and toxic chemicals that you cannot see or smell.

2. Emissions are made up of dangerous and harmful chemicals. When we BREATHE IN we are beathingin all these dangerous chemicals. Where there are more vehicles, there are more emissions and so we breathe in MORE dangerous chemicals. We are most at risk from all these dangerous emissions at the ROADSIDES where there are lots of vehicles pumping out all these poisonous and toxic gases. Stay away from roadsides! Which vehicles produces the most pollution? Commercial diesel vehicles . Diesel vehicles have engines which run on old dirty fuels. Why don’t we change the engines to cleaner ones? New cars in Hong Kong are required to have cleaner, more fuel efficient engines. BUT there are no regulations for the older more polluting vehicles. The oldest vehicles on the road produce over 30 times MORE of the pollutant that most affects YOU. The Worst of the worst ? TRUCKS

3. The DANGERS of pollution As kids YOU are more at risk because your breathing rate is higher than adults. This means that you breathe harder and faster and therefore MORE harmful chemicals enter your lungs. • This affects the GROWTH and development of your LUNGS • Reduces your over all HEALTH • Makes you WHEEZE and COUGH • Makes you more likely to get sick • Makes your eyes/nose itchy and sore • Increases your chances of developing asthma • May cause permanent health problems which will affect you when you are all grown up. • Your grandparents are also at a greater risk • they are more likely to get sick as they have weaker natural defenses • Their lungs are no longer very strong and breathing in pollutants causes further damage. EVERYONE is affected by pollution. What YOU do to help? SUPPORT organizations like CAN who are fighting for cleaner safer air. Stay away from roadsides when possible PLAY and do outdoor activity AWAY from busy roads. Tell your friends and family about the dangers of pollution. Knowledge is power.

4. Now complete the worksheet A. Who is most at risk from HK pollution? And WHY? B. Circle 3 main sources of Hong Kong pollution D. Circle the part of the body most harmed by pollution. C. List 6 ways that pollution damages your health 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. D. Which vehicles produce the most pollution? E. What YOU do to help?