Pollution and your kids
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Fresh Air
Well, we are doing something about it...leaving!!!
Today is the last day in Hong Kong for our family. After enduring the pollution levels of last winter (and this spring which hasn't seemed to improve greatly) we are moving the kids to somewhere safe and clean, never to return.
Hong Kong does have some great things about it which lured us here, but all the $$$$ in China (not that we were receiving much!) wouldn't keep us here subjecting our kids to this air. Everyday we just grew more depressed with the air quality. It affects your day to day life in so many ways.
Reading other people's opinions on this thread it is good to see that many people feel the same way. Subjecting delicate developing lungs and bodies to this environment was something my husband and I were not prepared to do to our kids. The long term effects of growing up in HK in 2008 pollution levels will only manifest themselves in later years.
The local government has NO genuine interest in reversing the accelerating problem of air quality. It seems that brown skies mean more profits so they are happy to continue on with business as usual.
It's ridiculous that Hong Kong has become a place where there is great demand from people willing to pay $13000 for a proper effective air purifier. We bought two as soon as we moved here, but they didn't cost that much then - the importer is completely gouging and preying on the health concerns of people.
We have made wonderful friends here and we don't have regrets about our original decision to pursue a career in Hong Kong. However, if we knew then what we know now about the air pollution here, there is NO WAY in hell we would have moved our family to HK.
Today is the last day in Hong Kong for our family. After enduring the pollution levels of last winter (and this spring which hasn't seemed to improve greatly) we are moving the kids to somewhere safe and clean, never to return.
Hong Kong does have some great things about it which lured us here, but all the $$$$ in China (not that we were receiving much!) wouldn't keep us here subjecting our kids to this air. Everyday we just grew more depressed with the air quality. It affects your day to day life in so many ways.
Reading other people's opinions on this thread it is good to see that many people feel the same way. Subjecting delicate developing lungs and bodies to this environment was something my husband and I were not prepared to do to our kids. The long term effects of growing up in HK in 2008 pollution levels will only manifest themselves in later years.
The local government has NO genuine interest in reversing the accelerating problem of air quality. It seems that brown skies mean more profits so they are happy to continue on with business as usual.
It's ridiculous that Hong Kong has become a place where there is great demand from people willing to pay $13000 for a proper effective air purifier. We bought two as soon as we moved here, but they didn't cost that much then - the importer is completely gouging and preying on the health concerns of people.
We have made wonderful friends here and we don't have regrets about our original decision to pursue a career in Hong Kong. However, if we knew then what we know now about the air pollution here, there is NO WAY in hell we would have moved our family to HK.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: VMC on top
Absolutely spot on Mrs. Pilot. We're going for the same reasons. I think we've enjoyed the experience of Hong Kong and have also made some good friends. We have also benefited from it financially (on paper at least) and still think its worth giving the place a go. But not enough to play Russian roulette with my children's health. Young developing lungs must surely be effected by the filthy air. Brown/yellow skies are here to stay and equal huge profits for the factory owners. Most of them probably spend little time in Hong Kong anyway and can easily escape to their overseas homes from time to time.
Walked past a posh children's clothes shop in Central last week. The place was also selling/marketing those very expensive Swiss built air purifying machines. Clearly aimed at the new mums who will be anxious about their newborn's health and quite able to afford such an expensive device. Great marketing and typical of Hong Kong.
It's a tough choice but we couldn't ignore the pollution any longer.
Good luck.
BI
Walked past a posh children's clothes shop in Central last week. The place was also selling/marketing those very expensive Swiss built air purifying machines. Clearly aimed at the new mums who will be anxious about their newborn's health and quite able to afford such an expensive device. Great marketing and typical of Hong Kong.
It's a tough choice but we couldn't ignore the pollution any longer.
Good luck.
BI
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Honkers
Healthy Holiday
We went for a 3 week holiday a couple of months ago. After only 2 weeks, my 2 kids stoppedcoughing, and runny noses was a thing of the past. Both had color in their cheeks and had more energy and enthusiasm. It was obvious to my wife and I. They stayed behind and are doing great.
Respect to all the guys that have been commuting for such a long time. It's not easy. Aside from spending a lot of time on aircraft and being tired all the time, it's not nice being away from the family.
We have made the decision. The family will not come back to Hong Kong and I will join them before the winter. It was not an easy decision but seeing the positive effect of fresh air and wide open space on my family made it obvious. We loved Hong Kong and will miss our friends, but the health of our kids outweighs that by far.
PB&J
Respect to all the guys that have been commuting for such a long time. It's not easy. Aside from spending a lot of time on aircraft and being tired all the time, it's not nice being away from the family.
We have made the decision. The family will not come back to Hong Kong and I will join them before the winter. It was not an easy decision but seeing the positive effect of fresh air and wide open space on my family made it obvious. We loved Hong Kong and will miss our friends, but the health of our kids outweighs that by far.
PB&J
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: therebedragons
Yawn
It never ceases to amaze me how many people seem genuinely surprised by the pollution in HK. If you moved here in the last 5-7 years you would have to have had some clue what it was like. Maybe you did your interview on one of the (rare) days it was fine, but anyone with a modicum of intelligence must, nay SHOULD, have done something resembling research before they upped & moved their progeny into this environment.
Kudos for deciding to leave, but spare us all the "martyred for a family cause" histrionics many here seem intent on telling us.
One wonders whether the Middle East thread is littered with posts titled "gaaaawd, it's so bl00dy hot here. Who'd have thought it would be so hot?".
Perhaps the Nordic forum is filled with self-congratulatory types bragging about their decision to move to warmer climes "for the sake of the family".
So, as many of you move back to ex-pat origins various: take a note of those cheap goods in the mega-malls, the low cost sneakers (from the Chinese sweatshops) you buy at the outlet centers, little Billy's latest Lego toy and all the other products you feel it is your god-given right to have access to at low, low prices and wonder - just for a second - where those goods come from? If you connect those dots, perhaps it won't seem so odd that there is a serious pollution problem here. If the Amazon rainforest is regarded as "the lungs of the world", then the Pearl river Delta is clearly "the factory of the world".
At the risk of belittling a far more serious issue, anyone who has seen the movie "Blood Diamond" will remember the scene where the fermale journalist berates Leo's character for his particpation in the evil trade that is conflict diamonds. Danny Archer's retort is priceless: her jingoistic view of the process that results in the conflict diamonds trade demonstrates how grossly ignorant the first world has become: it is the Madison Avenue (to borrow a HK term) tai-tais and their thirst for pretty baubles, ferociously fed by a consumerist-based media that is the true reason for the trade.
Anyway, rant over. Sorry the pollution got to so many of you - next time, open a book or make a phone call. It'll save you much heartache in the long run.
Kudos for deciding to leave, but spare us all the "martyred for a family cause" histrionics many here seem intent on telling us.
One wonders whether the Middle East thread is littered with posts titled "gaaaawd, it's so bl00dy hot here. Who'd have thought it would be so hot?".
Perhaps the Nordic forum is filled with self-congratulatory types bragging about their decision to move to warmer climes "for the sake of the family".
So, as many of you move back to ex-pat origins various: take a note of those cheap goods in the mega-malls, the low cost sneakers (from the Chinese sweatshops) you buy at the outlet centers, little Billy's latest Lego toy and all the other products you feel it is your god-given right to have access to at low, low prices and wonder - just for a second - where those goods come from? If you connect those dots, perhaps it won't seem so odd that there is a serious pollution problem here. If the Amazon rainforest is regarded as "the lungs of the world", then the Pearl river Delta is clearly "the factory of the world".
At the risk of belittling a far more serious issue, anyone who has seen the movie "Blood Diamond" will remember the scene where the fermale journalist berates Leo's character for his particpation in the evil trade that is conflict diamonds. Danny Archer's retort is priceless: her jingoistic view of the process that results in the conflict diamonds trade demonstrates how grossly ignorant the first world has become: it is the Madison Avenue (to borrow a HK term) tai-tais and their thirst for pretty baubles, ferociously fed by a consumerist-based media that is the true reason for the trade.
Anyway, rant over. Sorry the pollution got to so many of you - next time, open a book or make a phone call. It'll save you much heartache in the long run.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
Pollution
Compliments of today's SCMP....
Young and old pay high price for bad Delta air
Mary Ann Benitez
Jun 12, 2008
Children and the elderly in the greater Pearl River Delta are paying a high price for worsening air pollution, researchers warn, following a study that puts the health impact of air pollution at 6.7 billion yuan a year.
Poor air quality is causing 10,000 premature deaths a year, 440,000 hospital bed days and 11 million doctors' visits in Hong Kong, Macau and the Pearl River Delta, states the study, entitled "A Price Too High", by Civic Exchange.
A first in terms of pinning down the health cost of bad air in the region, the study was conducted over nine months by leading health, science and public policy experts who analysed ambient air pollution from 2003-2006, before projecting its health impact.
This impact is steep: HK$1.1 billion a year in Hong Kong, HK$18 million in Macau and 1.8 billion yuan a year in the Pearl River Delta, the study says.
"If adjusted for differences in gross domestic product, the health-related monetary costs of air pollution in the PRD amounts to 6.7 billion yuan," said Anthony Hedley, chair professor of the University of Hong Kong's department of community medicine, who noted the estimates were "very conservative".
The costs represent only the economic losses and do not take into account the pain and suffering or put a value on life.
The team said air pollution was hitting children and the elderly, the most vulnerable members of society, particularly hard.
"It will begin to erode progress in life expectancy, but more than that it will make people sick before they die," Professor Hedley said.
The scientists said businesses were concerned about air pollution because they had difficulty recruiting people from overseas.
"My concern is lung health, growth and development of a child who is growing up in Mong Kok or Causeway Bay," Professor Hedley said.
He spoke of a cumulative effect on children and adolescents who have been exposed to poor air quality in the past 10-15 years; and the aged, who might require more medical attention than expected.
The team urged the government to adopt an overall total air quality management framework, provide real-time data to the public, act to cut emissions from land and marine transport, adopt a clean-fuel initiative, regularly review policies and standards, and fund research.
Young and old pay high price for bad Delta air
Mary Ann Benitez
Jun 12, 2008
Children and the elderly in the greater Pearl River Delta are paying a high price for worsening air pollution, researchers warn, following a study that puts the health impact of air pollution at 6.7 billion yuan a year.
Poor air quality is causing 10,000 premature deaths a year, 440,000 hospital bed days and 11 million doctors' visits in Hong Kong, Macau and the Pearl River Delta, states the study, entitled "A Price Too High", by Civic Exchange.
A first in terms of pinning down the health cost of bad air in the region, the study was conducted over nine months by leading health, science and public policy experts who analysed ambient air pollution from 2003-2006, before projecting its health impact.
This impact is steep: HK$1.1 billion a year in Hong Kong, HK$18 million in Macau and 1.8 billion yuan a year in the Pearl River Delta, the study says.
"If adjusted for differences in gross domestic product, the health-related monetary costs of air pollution in the PRD amounts to 6.7 billion yuan," said Anthony Hedley, chair professor of the University of Hong Kong's department of community medicine, who noted the estimates were "very conservative".
The costs represent only the economic losses and do not take into account the pain and suffering or put a value on life.
The team said air pollution was hitting children and the elderly, the most vulnerable members of society, particularly hard.
"It will begin to erode progress in life expectancy, but more than that it will make people sick before they die," Professor Hedley said.
The scientists said businesses were concerned about air pollution because they had difficulty recruiting people from overseas.
"My concern is lung health, growth and development of a child who is growing up in Mong Kok or Causeway Bay," Professor Hedley said.
He spoke of a cumulative effect on children and adolescents who have been exposed to poor air quality in the past 10-15 years; and the aged, who might require more medical attention than expected.
The team urged the government to adopt an overall total air quality management framework, provide real-time data to the public, act to cut emissions from land and marine transport, adopt a clean-fuel initiative, regularly review policies and standards, and fund research.
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Aus
I guess you were out of town
I know, I know, it's the 1 clear day a year blah blah.......
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: Honkers
Only arrived in HK this week. Looking out my hotel window I currently see nothing but sunshine (a couple of clouds) and good vis......
I know, I know, it's the 1 clear day a year blah blah.......
I know, I know, it's the 1 clear day a year blah blah.......
Well, not the voice of experience.
I look forward to your views when you have a few years living in HK under your belt.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
From: Gweriniaeth Cymru
blogsey,
assuming you are staying in the headland hotel you can see from your window the beautiful green hills of lantau, hk's largest island. you will notice several red/brown scars on the lovely green mountains - where we suffered a number of landslips last saturday, as a result of 145mm of rain in 1 hr, followed by a further 300mm.
one of the results of the landslides across the channel in Tuen Mun was the death of 2 people, crushed under a 20 ton wall of concrete.
Some video footage of the ladslides:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2uTKyK1c9k
http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=p4cCTH8CM2U
Welcome to Hong Kong.
Regards,
N1 Vibes
PS - this rainfall was the highest recorde since records began in HKG over 150yrs ago. The next highest rainfall record was just 2 years ago in 2006....
assuming you are staying in the headland hotel you can see from your window the beautiful green hills of lantau, hk's largest island. you will notice several red/brown scars on the lovely green mountains - where we suffered a number of landslips last saturday, as a result of 145mm of rain in 1 hr, followed by a further 300mm.
one of the results of the landslides across the channel in Tuen Mun was the death of 2 people, crushed under a 20 ton wall of concrete.
Some video footage of the ladslides:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2uTKyK1c9k
http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=p4cCTH8CM2U
Welcome to Hong Kong.
Regards,
N1 Vibes
PS - this rainfall was the highest recorde since records began in HKG over 150yrs ago. The next highest rainfall record was just 2 years ago in 2006....
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 601
Likes: 0
From: England
Plus the ever present threat of.....
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-06-12-voa9.cfm
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-06-12-voa9.cfm
