To breathe or not to breathe....

Just some random thoughts on breathing today....  

Hong Kong is listed as one of the most densely populated countries on the planet....

Really, See chart:

Rank	Country/Region	Population	Area (km2)	Density (Pop. per km2)
1	Singapore	5,183,700	710	7301
—	Hong Kong	7,061,200	1,104	6396
2	Bahrain	1,234,596	750	1646
3	Bangladesh	152,518,015	147,570	1034
4	Taiwan (R.O.C)	22,955,395	36,190	634
5	Mauritius	1,288,000	2,040	631
6	South Korea	48,456,369	99,538	487
7	Rwanda	10,718,379	26,338	407
8	Netherlands	16,760,000	41,526	404
9	Lebanon	4,224,000	10,452	404

As such, it is to be expected with all those people living, working, and creating toxic fumes in a small area that air quality is going to be less than desirable at certain times...

They have a government page, so you can see how bad it is.

You can check it out here, if you want.

Today's forecast is much better than it has been in the previous days.  

Monday was VERY bad, actually according to their rating, SEVERE.

Logan and Krystin said as they exited the MTR (subway) on to the street they could taste the air, and it tasted metalic and gross.  Almost like blood.  Apparently, when the air quality is bad enough you can taste it! I had no clue, but it is concerning.

What does the government advise about the SEVERE rating (which is the worst possible), here look:

"The general public is advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities. They are also advised to seek advice from a medical doctor before participating in sport activities and take more breaks during the activities.

Persons with existing heart or respiratory illness are advised to avoid staying at roadsides with
heavy traffic and surrounded by tall buildings in urban areas and new towns. 
The general public is advised to avoid prolonged stay at roadsides with heavy traffic and surrounded by tall buildings in urban areas and new towns, and reduce physical exertion in such areas as far as possible."

Unfortunately, on Monday it was very warm, very humid, and Logan and Krystin had a track meet.  A track meet that was by their school, downtown.   In the midst of all the conditions that they were to advised to avoid.  That means hours outside in the heat and humidity breathing the air... Not only physically exerting themselves, but at top speeds, racing...   Why didn't they cancel it?  My best guess is because it is kind of normal here.  I went to the meet, and will post on that separately.    It was awful, not the meet, but the air!  The air was so thick with smog, surrounding us, I could hardly get a quality picture 10 feet from me.  I felt so badly for the kids.  They told me they felt short of breath, which is a sign of heavy pollution...  yuck...  

Most days aren't that bad, but the air quality is pretty bad downtown.  That is one of the reasons we live where we do.  The air quality is usually much better here in Tung Chung.  However, they are building a new complex next to us, and a bridge in the ocean, so that is not helping for sure....  It is very frustrating.  I mean you can't keep your kids home for a bad air quality day, but I would sure like to....

So, to breathe or not to breathe...

Well, Logan chose option number three: