Voice out for fresh air!

Mr. Edward Yau, Secretary for the Environment, has admitted in public last month that the Air Quality Objectives (AQO) is outdated. But it is not yet a victory for those who care about our air quality, as the government has not till now promised to revise the AQO according to World Health Organization’s standard.

Poor air quality brings various health impacts. For example, sulphur dioxide can impair our respiratory function, aggravate existing respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease. The respirable suspended particulates, i.e., particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less, are able to reach and deposit themselves deep in the lung and cause breathing and respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing.

Hong Kong’s Air Pollution Index indicates nothing at all

It may be reassuring to hear from the Environmental Protection Department that Hong Kong’s air quality is `up to standard’. Unfortunately, being up to an outdated standard may mean nothing at all. The Air Pollution Index (API) reported by the Hong Kong government is measured using standards called the Air Quality Objectives, standards which were established 21 years ago. Consequently, our air quality measurements lag well behind those used in the rest of the world, says Prentice Koo a Greenpeace Campaigner.

Places of Worship in Hong Kong

Religious freedom is one of the fundamental rights enjoyed by Hong Kong residents, and it is protected by the Basic Law. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is home to a number of practising religious groups, all of which have a considerable number of followers and places of worship.

Most of these also have established schools, organize social activities and provide social welfare facilities.

Job Satisfaction - How the other half counts

You’ve landed a new posting overseas - terms agreed, accommodation organized. But what about your partner? Is it your prospective employer’s responsibility to make sure you consider his or her feelings before accepting your new assignment? Does that responsibility extend to your new company finding a job for your partner, or providing a network of friends in your new location?

The answers to these questions may well be yes, according to a new study entitled “Many Expatriates, Many Voices: Accompanying Spouses and Partners Relocating to the USA”, carried out by the second largest relocation company in the US, Prudential Relocation.

Expat Burn Out

“I’m too young to retire and too old to start all over again. I feel stuck,” Jim, sighed.

Jim, 47, originally from Scotland , has been with his company in Hong Kong for nineteen years. Both he and his family feel quite settled. On and off he complains about the lack of quality of life, pollution, pushiness of people, etc. But, like most people, he has learned to live with these. Yet since six months ago Jim has been getting extremely irritated by every little thing: traffic, noise, crowds, etc..