Air Quality

Last few weeks my son has been very snuffly and coughing at nights, we go to Thailand for a few days and it clears up we come back and its starts again! It's not my flat as it is as clean as a whistle (I even tidy my crusty socks away these days) so it must be the air quality. Anyone else have this problem? Even if you don't have children do you find the air bad or is all hype? What say you?

Yes it's bad. My allergies have got worse in the two years since I've been here. And my asthma has reappeared. Not had it since I was about 8 years of age. But what are you gonna do??

I was diagnosed with asthma for the first time two years ago ( very mild ). The air quality in HK is awful but just about tolerable, thanks to a low tax system and wonderful social scene ! However, HK is nothing compared to Shanghai, Beijing and any other northern city you care to mention. Last time I had an asthma attack was in Shanghai and it scared the crap out of me.

As for Beijing 2008. I simply don't understand how its possible to hold a sporting event there. The air quality in Beijing is shocking.

I often wake up in the morning these days and have a coughing fit, clearing all the phlegm out. Never had that before and I don't smoke.

Most times when I look out from my DB dungeon, past the S&M gear and through slatted windows, I see nothing but misty smokey fog covering the pearl delta and hanging over HK island.

80% from China
15% from local power stations
5% Daniel smoking cigars.

Daniel

We have the same problem with our little daughter. Go away for a week or so and suddenly it all clears up! I suppose that is one of the aspects of living in HK.
Does make you wonder what we are doing to our kids long term health by being here though

Dan and Colin, I thought one of the major selling points of Discovery Bay is the relatively clean air! Think about us living in the city!

James, I agree, god knows what damage is being done to your bodies living over there. Who knows what you will all mutate to. I've seen instances already of hideous creatures in woolwich wanderers shirts roaming around.

To be frank, there are few places in Asia with crisp, fresh air of Europe. The only two places I can think of which I've been to is Korea and Japan. ( exc Tokyo ). Siem Riep wasn't too bad either. However, Jakarta, Bangkok, KL, HCM City etc, are at best, marginally cleaner. China is significantly worse.

Singapore is okay too.

spur'don wrote:

To be frank, there are few places in Asia with crisp, fresh air of Europe. The only two places I can think of which I've been to is Korea and Japan. ( exc Tokyo ). Siem Riep wasn't too bad either. However, Jakarta, Bangkok, KL, HCM City etc, are at best, marginally cleaner. China is significantly worse.

Singapore is okay too.

Not when the Indonesians decide to burn off most of their remaining rainforests on Borneo and Sumatra. Then the air quality there makes HK look decidedly elysian.

elysian? wot does that mean?

ezza wrote:

elysian? wot does that mean?

Elysium, Paradise; In Greek mythology, the Elysian Fields were the final resting place of the blessed chosen by the gods

DannyBoy wrote:

ezza wrote:

elysian? wot does that mean?

Elysium, Paradise; In Greek mythology, the Elysian Fields were the final resting place of the blessed chosen by the gods

What's the oods on Smartone next slogan being

"Smartone - the only way to Elysium"

I reckon me and Ozspur should get a percentage of Ezza's fee if that take's off!

spur'don wrote:

I was diagnosed with asthma for the first time two years ago ( very mild ). The air quality in HK is awful but just about tolerable, thanks to a low tax system and wonderful social scene ! However, HK is nothing compared to Shanghai, Beijing and any other northern city you care to mention. Last time I had an asthma attack was in Shanghai and it scared the crap out of me.

As for Beijing 2008. I simply don't understand how its possible to hold a sporting event there. The air quality in Beijing is shocking.

I haven't really noticed a problem tbh. But I did go to Shanghai with a cold and come back with bronchitis.

Have I mentioned that at all anywhere else on this site? Was just after some sympathy!!!!

colininDB wrote:

Daniel

We have the same problem with our little daughter. Go away for a week or so and suddenly it all clears up! I suppose that is one of the aspects of living in HK.
Does make you wonder what we are doing to our kids long term health by being here though

I agree, what are we doing to our children in the name of career? The air seems to have cleared up today but I expect another plume of grey smog to appear before the end of the week.

the china effect will weaken thru the summer months as the winds come from the south - usually leaving less pollution replaced by the unbearable heat and humidity, resulting in the return of Ms Betty Swollocks.

Daniel wrote:

what are we doing to our children in the name of career? The air seems to have cleared up today but I expect another plume of grey smog to appear before the end of the week.

It really is a worry, I was in Singapore last week and the place is full of ex-pat's who have relocated down there because of the air and the effect on their kids! I pensonally find Singapore a pretty dull place, beautifully clean, but boring and as such would not really want to live there. But unless this stuff starts to get better sometime in the next couple of years it may be a decition we have to take

And it's no use blaming the Mainland Chinese because most of the factories over the border are owned by HK'ers!

I think we send in BMJ to clean up this town....

even in smoggy Bangkok you can escape when you leave the city center. Where we stay on the outskirts of Bangkok the sky is always blue with no pollution and it does make a difference to my sons breathing. Hate to say it but priorities change when you drop a sprog...

Barry Lineker wrote:

And it's no use blaming the Mainland Chinese because most of the factories over the border are owned by HK'ers!

Most of the pollution does come from China. However, you can't point the finger at others until you put your own house in order. The vast majority of the HK population express apathy towards environmental issues. This place is light years behind other develop societies in efforts to recycle and save energy. Considering the majority have no choice other than to live in HK I'm surprised more isn't done to improve the air quality.

so are you saying I should stop burning tyres in my living room? Well, why didn't you say so?

Daniel wrote:

so are you saying I should stop burning tyres in my living room? Well, why didn't you say so?

Your not taking this debate seriously are you ?

Go stand in the corner for 5 minutes and consider how your ridicule may influence government policy from introducing real ground breaking changes to tackle the awful air quality.

we're all going to hell in a handbasket anyway. It's just pissing in the wind. We're going to all die. The day Spurs win the CL the world will end.