Air pollution
Air pollution is the contamination of air due to the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, or cause damage to the climate or to materials. There are many different types ...
in
Macau
Macau or Macao (; ; ; ), officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (MSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China in the western Pearl River Delta by the South China Sea. With a pop ...
is considered a serious problem. Cases of
asthma
Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, cou ...
and bronchial infections have soared in recent years due to reduced air quality.
Sources
Factories in the Mainland are a significant cause of air pollution in Macau. The rapid industrialization of Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta region in the 1980s and 90s, along with increasing development in Zhuhai are major contributors.
The appearance and continued worsening of this phenomenon may possibly be explained by the rapid increase in the number of factories across the border.
Health implications
The mortality rate from vehicular pollution can be twice as high near heavily traveled roads, based on a study conducted in Holland at residences 50 meters from a main road and 100 meters from a freeway.
Since tens of thousands of people in Macau live and work in close proximity to busy roads, this presents a major health risk to city residents.
Pollution is dramatically harming not only the health of citizens of Macau but also its economy, particularly relating to the ability to attract skilled foreign labour.
Air Quality Index Bulletin
Street-level air quality regularly falls short of the government’s Air Quality Objectives, and even further short of the
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution states its main objective as "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of h ...
(WHO) Air Quality Guidelines, revised in October.
See also
*
Healthcare in Macau
Macau has a universally accessible single-payer system funded by taxes collected by the government from corporations and residents.
Macau is served by one major public hospital, the Hospital Conde S. Januário, and one major private hospital, th ...
*
Air Pollution in China
*
Air pollution in Hong Kong
Air pollution in Hong Kong is considered a serious problem. In 2004, visibility was less than eight kilometers for 30 per cent of the year. Cases of asthma and bronchial infections have soared due to reduced air quality. However, in recent years ...
References
External links
* http://www.smg.gov.mo/www/ccaa/iqa/daily/fe_iqa_index_latest.htm
acau Air Quality Index Bulletin*
* http://www.macaunews.com.mo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=801&Itemid=5
acau News article on air pollution levels
{{DEFAULTSORT:Air Pollution In Macau
Environment of Macau
Macau
Macau or Macao (; ; ; ), officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (MSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China in the western Pearl River Delta by the South China Sea. With a pop ...
Air pollution by region
zh:港澳空氣污染