SCIENCE FELLOW HELPS HK CLEAR THE AIR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HONG KONG 000190

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/CM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SFNV TPHY HK CH
SUBJECT: SCIENCE FELLOW HELPS HK CLEAR THE AIR

REF: 08 HONG KONG 2051

1.(U) SUMMARY: Dr. Golam Sarwar, a U.S. EPA atmospheric
chemist and air modeling expert, was posted in Hong Kong as a
Department of State Science Fellow from September 29 )
November 28, 2008 (Reftel). His two-month stay was a
positive example of how the presence of U.S.-based experts,
working in cooperation with our diplomatic missions abroad,
can vigorously advance both American environmental and public
diplomacy goals. Dr. Sarwar,s research in Hong Kong
provided valuable new information about the relationship
between air pollution-induced chemical reactions in the Pearl
River Delta (PRD) and regional ozone levels. His research
also confirmed that small respirable suspended particulate
matter in the atmosphere is a serious problem in Hong Kong.
Dr. Sarwar,s assignment and his collaboration with local
scientists, activists, and government officials also clearly
demonstrated our seriousness about environmental protection
and laid the groundwork for future cooperation. END SUMMARY.

Science Fellowship Reaps Positive Results
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2. (SBU) Dr. Sarwar came to Hong Kong to conduct air-quality
modeling and other research to test the hypothesis that air
pollutants in the atmosphere above the PRD are reacting with
sunlight to produce nitrous acid (NO2),which in turn reacts
with other chemicals to produce ozone. Ozone can seriously
affect human health when found in high concentrations in the
lower atmosphere. Soon after arrival, Dr. Sarwar met with
scientists from the HKG Environmental Protection Department's
(EPD) Air Science Group to brief them on his research. The
EPD enthusiastically supported his efforts by granting him
access to several years' worth of data from their air
monitoring stations in Hong Kong. EPD officials also
sponsored a trip for and accompanied Dr. Sarwar to
Guangzhou,s South China University of Technology to consult
with Guangdong Province EPD counterparts and researchers in
mainland China.

3.(SBU) In addition to the EPD Air Science Group, Dr. Sarwar
met with and briefed faculty members and graduate students at
Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Hong Kong University
of Science and Technology (HKUST). The HKUST Environmental
Engineering Department offered to allow Dr. Sarwar to install
U.S. EPA-developed air modeling software, updated with
specific NO2 chemistry, and to run HKUST air pollution data
through the model to evaluate the impact of NO2 chemistry on
ozone. Initial evaluation of the computer simulation data
showed only a slight rise in overall ozone attributable to
the NO2 chemistry. Additional evaluation shows that ozone
levels in Hong Kong, while present and problematic, on many
days are well below U.S. National Air Quality Standards and
EPA- recommended safe levels. Ozone levels only exceeded the
U.S. Standards on 28 days in 2007. HKUST's Environmental
Engineering Department is committed to continuing
collaboration with Dr. Sarwar and will work with him to
fine-tune the model using local data. Dr. Sarwar and his
partners at HKUST plan to jointly publish the results of
their collaboration.

4.(SBU) Although his original hypothesis on ozone was not
supported by the Hong Kong data, Dr. Sarwar did confirm that
respirable particulate matter at the 2.5 micron level (PM2.5)
is a significant health threat in Hong Kong. Hong Kong,s
mean annual levels of PM2.5 are 2.6 times the U.S.
EPA-determined safe levels for this pollutant. Hong Kong is
just beginning to consistently measure PM2.5 and currently
has no standards or regulations governing particulate matter
below 10 microns in size. In addition to his NO2-ozone
research, Dr. Sarwar spent significant time with the EPD Air
Quality Team discussing PM2.5 pollution and assisting them in
fine-tuning measurement techniques. The EPD is now
developing proposed PM2.5 emission standards for enactment.

Science Fellowship Boosts Consulate Credibility
-------------- --

5.(SBU) In addition to his scientific research and exchanges
with government officials, Dr. Sarwar conducted numerous
public outreach events in support of efforts to improve air
quality in Hong Kong. Dr. Sarwar presented seminars on air
quality issues at the HKG EPD, HKUST, Hong Kong Polytechnic
University and the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
He also met with Hong Kong NGO,s involved in environmental
issues and faculty at Hong Kong University. He was
enthusiastically received at each venue, raising visibility
and awareness of the Department,s Science Fellowship program
and Consulate General Hong Kong's own environmental advocacy

HONG KONG 00000190 002 OF 002


efforts. Consulate General Hong Kong will continue reaping
the benefits of Dr. Sarwar,s participation in the Science
Fellowship Program and the solid relationships he forged with
air quality experts from all sectors well beyond his brief
tenure in Hong Kong. His credibility on air quality issues
has boosted our own efforts to encourage the Hong Kong
government to tackle this serious problem.
DONOVAN