Pollution and your kids
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Pollution and your kids
10:16AM Saturday February 16, 2008
NEW YORK - Kids who live in neighbourhoods with heavy traffic pollution have lower IQs and score worse on other tests of intelligence and memory than children who breathe cleaner air, a new study shows.
The effect of pollution on intelligence was similar to that seen in children whose mothers smoked 10 cigarettes a day while pregnant, or in kids who have been exposed to lead, Dr Shakira Franco Suglia of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, the study's lead author, told Reuters Health.
While the effect of pollution on cardiovascular and respiratory health has been studied extensively, less is known about how breathing dirty air might affect the brain, Suglia and her team write in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
To investigate, she and her colleagues looked at 202 Boston children 8 to 11 years old who were participating in a study of maternal smoking. The researchers related several measures of cognitive function to the children's estimated exposure to black carbon, a component of the particulate matter emitted in automobile and truck exhaust, particularly by diesel vehicles.
The more heavily exposed children were to black carbon, the lower were their scores on several intelligence tests.
When the researchers adjusted for the effects of parents' education, language spoken at home, birth weight, and exposure to tobacco smoke, the association remained.
For example, heavy exposure to black carbon was linked to a 3.4-point drop in IQ, on average. Heavily exposed children also scored lower on tests of vocabulary, memory and learning.
"It's within the range for in utero tobacco exposure and lead exposure," Suglia said in an interview.
She pointed out that exposure to traffic pollution has been associated with a number of other harmful effects and that, short of moving away from heavy traffic areas, there's not much people can do to limit it.
She and her colleagues suggest that traffic pollution may exert harmful effects by causing inflammation and oxidative damage to the brain. They call for further research on the effects of pollution on the development of intelligence in children and on cognitive decline for people of all ages, including whether traffic exposure might cause or accelerate brain degeneration in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
NEW YORK - Kids who live in neighbourhoods with heavy traffic pollution have lower IQs and score worse on other tests of intelligence and memory than children who breathe cleaner air, a new study shows.
The effect of pollution on intelligence was similar to that seen in children whose mothers smoked 10 cigarettes a day while pregnant, or in kids who have been exposed to lead, Dr Shakira Franco Suglia of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, the study's lead author, told Reuters Health.
While the effect of pollution on cardiovascular and respiratory health has been studied extensively, less is known about how breathing dirty air might affect the brain, Suglia and her team write in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
To investigate, she and her colleagues looked at 202 Boston children 8 to 11 years old who were participating in a study of maternal smoking. The researchers related several measures of cognitive function to the children's estimated exposure to black carbon, a component of the particulate matter emitted in automobile and truck exhaust, particularly by diesel vehicles.
The more heavily exposed children were to black carbon, the lower were their scores on several intelligence tests.
When the researchers adjusted for the effects of parents' education, language spoken at home, birth weight, and exposure to tobacco smoke, the association remained.
For example, heavy exposure to black carbon was linked to a 3.4-point drop in IQ, on average. Heavily exposed children also scored lower on tests of vocabulary, memory and learning.
"It's within the range for in utero tobacco exposure and lead exposure," Suglia said in an interview.
She pointed out that exposure to traffic pollution has been associated with a number of other harmful effects and that, short of moving away from heavy traffic areas, there's not much people can do to limit it.
She and her colleagues suggest that traffic pollution may exert harmful effects by causing inflammation and oxidative damage to the brain. They call for further research on the effects of pollution on the development of intelligence in children and on cognitive decline for people of all ages, including whether traffic exposure might cause or accelerate brain degeneration in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
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Kids who live in neighbourhoods with heavy traffic pollution have lower IQs and score worse on other tests of intelligence and memory than children who breathe cleaner air, a new study shows.
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Glue, yes we are densely populated, but that is not the problem. 15,000 Hong Kong Chinese in a square mile is fine because they have developed a vibrant city mentality as only they can. Hong Kong works, New York works. Put us on the plains of Montana and we will wither and die.
Indeed I would prefer to live at this population density with this ethnicity that most any other that I can think of.
The problem is pollution, air, noise and water. We are constrained by a government that cannot act to reduce these because they are in the financial hands of the very people who produce the pollution.
Eventually the developing and innovative pollution laws of China will be enacted in Hong Kong but that does not have to be the case until 2047.
Until then, hold your breath and when your kid gets asthma, get out.
Indeed I would prefer to live at this population density with this ethnicity that most any other that I can think of.
The problem is pollution, air, noise and water. We are constrained by a government that cannot act to reduce these because they are in the financial hands of the very people who produce the pollution.
Eventually the developing and innovative pollution laws of China will be enacted in Hong Kong but that does not have to be the case until 2047.
Until then, hold your breath and when your kid gets asthma, get out.
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moosp,
"vibrant city mentality" - next time you try and get into a lift/the MTR look around and congratulate yourself on what a wonderful place HKG has become. As somebody slams a door in your face. Spits on the pavement for you to walk in. Allows their mutt to sh!t in the playground where your children play. Or when the local plumber when repairing your sh!tter reroutes the effluent into a water drain and not an effluent drain - this happened here in HKG and infected a number of people in the same building with SARS just a few years ago.
What a considerate city we REALLY are!?
But what about the community spirit - when people take their lives and the lives of their family by burning charcoal in their apartments - the neighbours would just complain to the property management about the smoke!!
A man sets fire to his apartment block by leaving a dodgy electric fan running to cool his rabbit, that isn't allowed in the property.
The PLB drivers that reverse into old women and kill them, and then drive off as if nothing had happened.
My apologies for such crude examples - but nothing surprises me here...
Welcome to Asias 1st World City
"vibrant city mentality" - next time you try and get into a lift/the MTR look around and congratulate yourself on what a wonderful place HKG has become. As somebody slams a door in your face. Spits on the pavement for you to walk in. Allows their mutt to sh!t in the playground where your children play. Or when the local plumber when repairing your sh!tter reroutes the effluent into a water drain and not an effluent drain - this happened here in HKG and infected a number of people in the same building with SARS just a few years ago.
What a considerate city we REALLY are!?
But what about the community spirit - when people take their lives and the lives of their family by burning charcoal in their apartments - the neighbours would just complain to the property management about the smoke!!
A man sets fire to his apartment block by leaving a dodgy electric fan running to cool his rabbit, that isn't allowed in the property.
The PLB drivers that reverse into old women and kill them, and then drive off as if nothing had happened.
My apologies for such crude examples - but nothing surprises me here...
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Oh hell N1vibes - the reality is this stuff happens everywhere. Just watch the Reality TV programs about animal abuse in USA and you will want to kill with frustration over how many people do stupid and cruel things. Granted the more backwards and undeveloped a society is the worse it gets. And taking that into consideration HKG is way better than most places in the world despite a few heartless busdrivers....
Back to the topic however - Pollution is soon going to cause HKG to become a 'hardship posting' again - like it was in the past. And companies will have to increase expat packages to keep them here. As we all know the only thing that makes you sleep better at night while your kids cough in the next room will be that big paycheck!!
Back to the topic however - Pollution is soon going to cause HKG to become a 'hardship posting' again - like it was in the past. And companies will have to increase expat packages to keep them here. As we all know the only thing that makes you sleep better at night while your kids cough in the next room will be that big paycheck!!
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For obvious (political) reasons, very little is being said about the disproportionate contribution Hong Kong's harbour makes toward pollution. It's so much easier to zero into cars, trucks and planes, plus the "filthy" industries just across the border.
Yet here you have a massive traffic in ships burning what is essentially refinery waste - even whilst docked (just to generate a few kWs). Sulphur, fine dust particals, soot....... nobody cares. As long as we can make hou doh chinnah.
Yet here you have a massive traffic in ships burning what is essentially refinery waste - even whilst docked (just to generate a few kWs). Sulphur, fine dust particals, soot....... nobody cares. As long as we can make hou doh chinnah.
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...but meanwhile (and I too have been guilty of this by virtue of my 'head-in-the-sand' mentality) every day our kids breathe in this toxic nightmare and every day their lungs accrue layer on layer of damaging, longevity reducing, carcenogenic filth.
So the time has come. Donald Tsang won't address it but I will.
The CV has been updated and sent and it's time to move on. Actually it's past the time. God knows what long-term damage I've done to my family and myself by continually breathing in this toxic soup.
HK airlines can pay massive amounts of blood-money (or call it whatever you like) to get the increasingly scarce pilot 'resource' to come here but my conscience now prohibits me from killing my kids and thus having a fatish wallet.
A widely-available commuting roster is not forthcoming so its time to go.
Thanks and good luck to all for the future in the 'Fragrant Harbour'.
So the time has come. Donald Tsang won't address it but I will.
The CV has been updated and sent and it's time to move on. Actually it's past the time. God knows what long-term damage I've done to my family and myself by continually breathing in this toxic soup.
HK airlines can pay massive amounts of blood-money (or call it whatever you like) to get the increasingly scarce pilot 'resource' to come here but my conscience now prohibits me from killing my kids and thus having a fatish wallet.
A widely-available commuting roster is not forthcoming so its time to go.
Thanks and good luck to all for the future in the 'Fragrant Harbour'.
Decision made, outta here as well.
My wife and I have been seriously reviewing our future here and have very recently come to the decision to leave Hong Kong. We are no longer willing to subject ourselves and our children to this offensive, disgusting air that is doing who knows how much damage to us. As soon as I am in a position to do so (hopefully not too soon in this pilot market) we are gone...if it takes much time at all the family will get out and I will follow.
This time of year HK should be enjoying some great blue, crisp and cool days. Instead we wallow in this inpenetrable grey fog of industrial sh!t. I am sick of looking at buildings, hills and a sea horizon lost in the murk. I can't stand descending from flight levels into the sh!tosphere and start smelling it through the aircon.
My wife asked me if I knew, really knew what it was like here before we came would I have left my old company and moved. Sometimes it is difficult to admit you made a bad choice, but the answer is no, I would never have come here.
She agrees. We knew some people here before we arrived, she laments that no-one quite spelt it out how bad the pollution actually is. To be fair, it is getting worse every year so maybe they would offer different advice now.
I now find myself actively encouraging former colleagues not to come to HK, especially if they have, or a planning to have, children.
For anyone thinking of coming here, ensure your research and due diligence covers the pollution situation in detail. No amount of shiny jets, bigger dollars (well, that's all but gone anyway) or career progression is worth the price.
This time of year HK should be enjoying some great blue, crisp and cool days. Instead we wallow in this inpenetrable grey fog of industrial sh!t. I am sick of looking at buildings, hills and a sea horizon lost in the murk. I can't stand descending from flight levels into the sh!tosphere and start smelling it through the aircon.
My wife asked me if I knew, really knew what it was like here before we came would I have left my old company and moved. Sometimes it is difficult to admit you made a bad choice, but the answer is no, I would never have come here.
She agrees. We knew some people here before we arrived, she laments that no-one quite spelt it out how bad the pollution actually is. To be fair, it is getting worse every year so maybe they would offer different advice now.I now find myself actively encouraging former colleagues not to come to HK, especially if they have, or a planning to have, children.
For anyone thinking of coming here, ensure your research and due diligence covers the pollution situation in detail. No amount of shiny jets, bigger dollars (well, that's all but gone anyway) or career progression is worth the price.
Well 6000m is horrible enough and about as good as it seems to get these days, but 2000m in BR!
And what chemical compounds comprise the "BR" element?
TAF VHHH 190400Z 190606 01010KT 6000 FEW010 SCT020 BKN060
TEMPO 0609 2000 BR RA FEW006CB SCT012 BKN040
TEMPO 0920 4000 BR RA
BECMG 1820 09010KT
TEMPO 2006 2500 BR RA TX24/07Z TN22/23Z
The HK Uni of Science & Technology reported that 7 years ago the "BR comprised:
Strong...concentrations of ammonium, sodium, sulfate, nitrate and chloride in PM2.5 in Hong Kong, using a Harvard honeycomb denuder/filter-pack system were measured at the different sites (HKUST, TST and Ho Man Tin) in Hong Kong during March 2000 - May 2001. We investigated the role of atmospheric mixing height in the variation in concentrations of the species in PM2.5 and quantitatively determined the contribution of the long-range transport to the ambient aerosols in Hong Kong. In total, about 40% of the measured sulfate and ammonium of PM2.5 in Hong Kong was from the non-local sources in this study. The effects of aerosol composition on the extents of sampling artifacts in PM2.5 and the contributions of individual reactions to particle evaporation were investigated. The [NH4+]/[SO42-] ratio of 1.5 is a critical ratio in the sampling artifacts of nitrate and chloride in PM2.5. Furthermore, over 250 datasets of 24-hr Respirable Suspended Particles (RSP) samples collected in 2001 from seven air-quality-monitoring sites run by the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department were analyzed. Overall, the fine mode fraction of RSP is acidic with an average estimated molar [NH4+]/[SO42-] ratio of 1.24. The particles are highly acidic in nature with an average in-situ pH of –0.05 (–0.65 to 2.5).
Who knows how much ammonium, sodium, sulphate, nitrate and chloride are being inhaled and wrecking lungs now.
And what chemical compounds comprise the "BR" element?
TAF VHHH 190400Z 190606 01010KT 6000 FEW010 SCT020 BKN060
TEMPO 0609 2000 BR RA FEW006CB SCT012 BKN040
TEMPO 0920 4000 BR RA
BECMG 1820 09010KT
TEMPO 2006 2500 BR RA TX24/07Z TN22/23Z
The HK Uni of Science & Technology reported that 7 years ago the "BR comprised:
Strong...concentrations of ammonium, sodium, sulfate, nitrate and chloride in PM2.5 in Hong Kong, using a Harvard honeycomb denuder/filter-pack system were measured at the different sites (HKUST, TST and Ho Man Tin) in Hong Kong during March 2000 - May 2001. We investigated the role of atmospheric mixing height in the variation in concentrations of the species in PM2.5 and quantitatively determined the contribution of the long-range transport to the ambient aerosols in Hong Kong. In total, about 40% of the measured sulfate and ammonium of PM2.5 in Hong Kong was from the non-local sources in this study. The effects of aerosol composition on the extents of sampling artifacts in PM2.5 and the contributions of individual reactions to particle evaporation were investigated. The [NH4+]/[SO42-] ratio of 1.5 is a critical ratio in the sampling artifacts of nitrate and chloride in PM2.5. Furthermore, over 250 datasets of 24-hr Respirable Suspended Particles (RSP) samples collected in 2001 from seven air-quality-monitoring sites run by the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department were analyzed. Overall, the fine mode fraction of RSP is acidic with an average estimated molar [NH4+]/[SO42-] ratio of 1.24. The particles are highly acidic in nature with an average in-situ pH of –0.05 (–0.65 to 2.5).
Who knows how much ammonium, sodium, sulphate, nitrate and chloride are being inhaled and wrecking lungs now.
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As a new parent I am getting seriously worried. I have now spoken with THREE colleagues in the past month that had their kids tested and found VERY elevated levels of mercury and other chemicals in their blood and skin, also several have chronic lung problems - this at very young ages. I am watching my kiddie very carefully and seriously looking for that commuting roster while dusting of the CV.
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I'm also pulling the plug this summer I'm afraid. Know of at least 3 other Cathay families doing the same and I'm seriously considering my future should a base not be available. The pollution here is out of control and the environmental disaster, in my opinion, is of biblical proportions. The western world is slowly trying to improve its behavior when it comes to environmental issues. Yet in order to feed its insatiable appetite for ever cheaper products, requires places like China to increase its manufacturing output. And with little or no environmental laws, the end result is shocking. I don't believe the average person in Europe/North America is aware of the damage being done in this part of the world.
No improvement in our life time me thinks, as a fair proportion of the factories in southern China are owned by HKG businessmen. Money more important around here than anything else, including life. After all, that's why most of us have turned a blind eye to the problem for so long. We're probably just as greedy.
Lots of non airline friends are also very concerned but they're typically only here for about 3 years, before they move on. Other expat locations like the "sand pit" have it's problems I'm sure, but large companies like Cathay will find it increasingly difficult to attract people to the smog of Hong Kong.
I think this is a great city and I've really enjoyed my time here. But you only have to look out the window to realize it just can't keep going on like this.
Just my thoughts.
BI
No improvement in our life time me thinks, as a fair proportion of the factories in southern China are owned by HKG businessmen. Money more important around here than anything else, including life. After all, that's why most of us have turned a blind eye to the problem for so long. We're probably just as greedy.
Lots of non airline friends are also very concerned but they're typically only here for about 3 years, before they move on. Other expat locations like the "sand pit" have it's problems I'm sure, but large companies like Cathay will find it increasingly difficult to attract people to the smog of Hong Kong.
I think this is a great city and I've really enjoyed my time here. But you only have to look out the window to realize it just can't keep going on like this.
Just my thoughts.
BI
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Ultimate remedy would be for all HKG based crews to live or to be based in or near the cities of CX's route structure. HKG would become a layover point, or a transit stop, rather than be a large crew hub. 
yep
Yep , another standard day in HK
VHHH 220200Z 10012KT 3700 BR FEW007 SCT022 BKN050 26/23 Q1009 NOSIG
Although admittedly the RH is up around 90% so some of the 'BR' might actually be mist!! Wonders will never cease !!
Some interesting reading on this website ' www.cleartheair.org.hk ' especially how the 20 year old Hong Kong air pollution index relates to the WHO/green peace index!
Buggs out
VHHH 220200Z 10012KT 3700 BR FEW007 SCT022 BKN050 26/23 Q1009 NOSIG
Although admittedly the RH is up around 90% so some of the 'BR' might actually be mist!! Wonders will never cease !!
Some interesting reading on this website ' www.cleartheair.org.hk ' especially how the 20 year old Hong Kong air pollution index relates to the WHO/green peace index!
Buggs out