A study into air quality in Hong Kong has compared the pollution to an infectious disease, costing the city US$2.7bn a year while leading to 1,600 deaths, 6.8m doctors’ visits and 64,000 hospital bed-days.

“If this was an infectious disease there would be a crisis,” said Anthony Hedley of the University of Hong Kong’s school of public health.

“This is a medical emergency.”

Sam Bond

© Faversham House Ltd 2023 edie news articles may be copied or forwarded for individual use only. No other reproduction or distribution is permitted without prior written consent.

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe