News & Stories

Surgical masks are effective in blocking airborne carcinogens, reducing cancer risks such as lung cancer and leukemia.

A research team led by scientists from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) unveiled a first-in-kind study of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and its role in the rise and fall of airborne sulfates in hazy air pollution, offering policymakers new insights into ways to tackle smoggy weather.  Dense, hazy fog episodes characterized by relatively high humidity, low visibility and extremely high PM2.5 have been a headache to many megacities including those in Mainland China. Among pollutants that are less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5), airborne sulfate is one of the most common components of hazy air pollution formed atmospherically via the oxidation of sulphur dioxide (SO2).  

The 5th International Symposium on Regional Air Quality Management in Rapidly Developing Economic Regions Hong Kong Forum was held on 20 Nov 2017 at HKUST to discuss how to solve the air pollution problems in the region.

The Institute for the Environment of HKUST reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with institutes of universities in Guangzhou, Macao, and Taiwan on 15 August 2017 to prioritize research cooperation in air quality and climate change.

HKUST is developing a mobile app named "Personalized Real-Time Air Quality Informatics System for Exposure - Hong Kong" to provide real-time air quality information of specific areas/streets to the public.

SCMP interviewed Prof. Jimmy FUNG, Head of Division of Environment, on 9 January 2017 for his comments on the air pollution peak problem in Hong Kong on last Sunday (8 January). Some people questioned if the toxic smog in northeast China could drift to Hong Kong with the arrival of monsoon winds. Prof. FUNG said that, based on the data from HKUST's Atmospheric and Environmental Database, there was no sign of connection between the very high PM2.5 concentration in northern China and that in Hong Kong. The data suggested that most of the pollutants were generated locally and regionally in Hong Kong and within the Pearl River Delta region.