Clean Air Schools for Hong Kong

Context

25% of primary schools are located within 150m of highways with busy traffic in Hong Kong. A study by HKUST and HKU found that Sham Shui Po and Tuen Mun have high levels of concentrations of PM (particulate matter) and NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) in a population weighted average. Exposing children to such unsafe pollution levels early in life can result in a lifetime of health issues.

Our Solution

Facilitates setting up of an air quality data collection infrastructure in each partner schools in Tuen Mun and Sham Shui Po districts. This will help the schools to adopt precautionary measures and protect students from the harms of air pollution.

A range of professionally designed environmental educational toolkits on the theme of air pollution, which supports development of STEM / STEAM teaching will be introduced.

With this programme implementation experience and air quality information collected, CAN will continue advocating the government to equip all primary schools in Hong Kong with air quality monitors.

Visit Air-ducate

Programme
Engagement

The current programme is a unique collaboration with Institute for the Environment of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST-IENV)

The outdoor air quality monitors in the partner primary schools will generate a real-time Community level Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) which will help the schools to make informed decisions and protect students from the harms of the ambient air. The indoor air quality monitors will generate an indoor air quality(IAQ) rating which can provide schools to better understand the air quality in the classrooms.

LED panels will be installed in partner schools for displaying the real time air pollutant concentrations. Students and the community can also access the real time AQHI through the Clean Air Schools for HK mobile app. The mobile app will also convey supportive health messages to help users making informed decisions for reducing individual exposure to the air pollutants.

Milestones

a) Air quality of the school to be made available to the school and the community in accessible, understandable accurate and useful formats

b) Develop Clean Air Actions Plans for participating schools

Partners

Funder:
Zeshan Foundation

Collaborator:
HKUST Institute for the Environment

Participatory Schools:
S.K.H. St. Andrew’s Primary School
St. Francis of Assisi’s English Primary School
Society of Boys’ Centres Chak Yan Centre School
Chan’s Creative School
Yan Chai Hospital Law Chan Chor Si Primary School
A.D.& F.D. of Pok Oi Hospital Mrs. Cheng Yam On Millennium School
Lui Cheung Kwong Lutheran Primary School
The Hong Kong Eng Clansman Association Wu Si Chong Memorial School