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The problems of air pollution in Hong Kong bring along the effects on these four main aspects:

Political
Air pollution is more serious now, government have to do something to prevent the important continue. Making some policies are the effective ways. However, not all the people support, especially some people who affected by those polices. They will disagree and challenge them. After that, those policies may not easy to success.

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Economical
Hong Kong is a place where attracts the foreign investment. But the bad air is one of the reasons that they prefer not to invest in this city. For example, in 1999, due to the unclean air, one of the conference which held in Hong Kong had been cancelled. HK may lose much money by the lose of foreign investments. Also, tourists do not come to HK because of the air pollution. Those are the reasons which affect the HK economic straightly.
Air pollution affects the people’s health. If the problem becomes seriously, most of the person with IT knowledge will not come, wishing to be a high-tech city maybe collapse.

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Environmental

The temperature inside the house is much higher than that of air outside. Our atmosphere is like a huge greenhouse. Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, acts like the glass of a greenhouse. The changes in climate of the Earth and the subsequent effects are called greenhouse effect. Now the weather in HK is higher, means the problem is getting serious.

What are greenhouse gases?

Name of gas

Contribution

Source(s)

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

50%

From burning coal and oil, and the removal of vegetation

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

20%

From air conditioners, refrigerators and aerosols

Methane (CH4)

16%

From rice growing, animal waste, swamps and landfills

Ozone (O3)

8%

From air pollution

Nitrous oxide (N2O)

6%

From fertilizers and burning of coal and oil

Source: Global Ecology Handbook

Photochemical smog is a mixture of pollutants which includes particulates, nitrogen oxides, ozone, aldehydes, peroxyethanoyl nitrate (PAN), unreacted hydrocarbons, etc. It is bad for our health, too. For example, headaches, eye, nose and throat irritations, lung function impaired, coughing and wheezing. Apart from that, it can damage plants. The atmosphere may not clean enough to see because of the smog. Poor visibility may affect the transports in the sky and sea.

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Health Problems

Exposure to elevated level of different kinds of pollutants in the air cause different degree of damage to our health.

Gaseous Pollutants

Type of pollutant	Effects
Sulphur Dioxide	Impairments of respiratory function Led to aggravation of existing respiratory disease (especially bronchitis) and cardiovascular disease Causes changes of lung function: wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing Increases mortality
Nitrogen Dioxide	Irritates the lungs Causes lower resistance to respiratory infection, for example, influenza Impairs lung development of young children
Carbon Monoxide	Causes visual impairment Reduces work capacity Reduces mental function Led to poor learning ability
Ozone and Photochemical Oxidants	Irritates the mucous membranes of the nose, throat and airways Symptoms: cough, chest pain, and throat and eye irritation Increase susceptibility to respiratory infection Normal functioning of the lungs may be impaired by Acute adverse effects and respiratory inflammation may be induced

Particulates Pollutants

Type of pollutant Effects

Respirable Suspended Particulates (RSP)

Causes breathing and respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing

Causes aggravation of existing respiratory disease

Causes damages to lung tissues

Lead

Causes damage to the nervous system, red blood cells, kidneys and potential increases in high blood pressure

result in decreased co-ordination and mental abilities

Led to permanent brain damage if no appropriate treatment

According to a study, titled ``A Tale of Two Cities: Effects of Air Pollution on Hospital Admissions in Hong Kong and London Compared'', by the University of Hong Kong (HKU), air pollution caused more than 4,000 deaths in Hong Kong in 2000. There were 4,261 deaths in 2000 due to cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses such as heart attacks, stroke and lung cancer.

There were 17,555 hospital admissions in 2000 as a result of cardiovascular and respiratory problems from average levels of pollutants in Hong Kong. These equaled 75,831 hospital bed days, which cost an estimated HK$133 million. (Source: HKiMail 4 May 2002 )

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Name of gas	Contribution	Source(s)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)	50%	From burning coal and oil, and the removal of vegetation
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)	20%	From air conditioners, refrigerators and aerosols
Methane (CH4)	16%	From rice growing, animal waste, swamps and landfills
Ozone (O3)	8%	From air pollution
Nitrous oxide (N2O)	6%	From fertilizers and burning of coal and oil

Type of pollutant	Effects
Respirable Suspended Particulates (RSP)	Causes breathing and respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing Causes aggravation of existing respiratory disease Causes damages to lung tissues
Lead	Causes damage to the nervous system, red blood cells, kidneys and potential increases in high blood pressure result in decreased co-ordination and mental abilities Led to permanent brain damage if no appropriate treatment