Pollution an Issue with Kids?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    10

    Pollution an Issue with Kids?

    Hi! My husband and I are considering moving to HK with our 2 young children ages 3 and 6. My first worry was schooling but now I am a bit panicky about the pollution. My eldest so may have slight asthma and I have read on the internet that the pollution is really bad. Can anyone tell me their experience so far in regards to pollution and how their children are handling it? Do they seem to get ik more often? Coughing alot? Developing asthma? Is the pollution as bad as it's made out to be?
    Any info would be greatly appreciated!


  2. #2

    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    U.S.A.
    Posts
    39

    My kids have slight asthma too and we are moving to Hong Kong in few months. I had the same concern but I am not too worry about it. My 2 and 4yr old kids usually have most problem during weather change or cold winter but Hong Kong doesn't have extreme weather change and winter is not that cold so if you don't live in an area that's super crowded, I think it is going to be alright.


  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Hong Kong
    Posts
    41

    asthma and pollution

    Hi
    I think it depends entirely on what is the trigger for your children's asthma. My friends daughter's asthma improved in Hong Kong. She put it down to the fact she was living in an apartment with blinds (no heavy drapes), wooden flooring (no carpet) and has a helper who cleans everyday. Previosuly in England she was in a house to keep warmth in so it would accumulate more dust in the soft furnishings and as she worked part time, cleaning was done once or twice a week.

    Having said this, the pollution in Hong Kong is not great. A lot of families chose to live southside as the pollution tends to be better around that area and central/midlevels the worst. I remember being horrified when we first arrived here at the air quality.

    I have noticed personally that when we get sick here with a cold, the virus normally always travels to the chest and takes longer to resolve than what we experienced in our home country. Whether that's pollution or humidity, I am uncertan but there are a lot of kids around with permanent barking coughs! I have always been very healthy but have had pneumonia here after an unresolved respiratory infection.

    Many people purchase air purifiers such as the IQ air systems to minimise the exposure to pollutants. For me, they give me some peace of mind.

    Good luck.

    Last edited by sea princess; 08-10-2010 at 11:53 AM.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    10

    HI thanks for the info. My son always gets chest infections here in London as it is! Am a bit worried about that. I just read how bad it is in Hong Kong pollution wise but wanted to know how it affected everyone there. It sounds like you (sea princess) have been quite affected by it. I also wonder about long term effects on the kids health. It's such a tough decision!
    Just curious, does the pollution affect whether the kids can run and play outside at all or is it not qite that bad where they actually have to stay indoors some days?
    Thanks!


  5. #5

    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    10

    [QUOTE=wegetable;9801]My kids have slight asthma too and we are moving to Hong Kong in few months. I had the same concern but I am not too worry about it. My 2 and 4yr old kids usually have most problem during weather change or cold winter but Hong Kong doesn't have extreme weather change and winter is not that cold so if you don't live in an area that's super crowded, I think it is going to be alright.

    Hi, will you be living on the southside of the Island? Is Discovery Bay less polluted? We were looking at places such as Repulse Bay, Stanley or Deepwater Bay. HOw are those areas in terms of pollution does anyone know? Or is it bad all over?


  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Hong Kong
    Posts
    41

    air quality

    Hi
    There is roadside pollution which is pretty bad in a lot of places, all the buses and traffic. However, it's more the industrail pollution that affects the air quality on a larger scale and that is probably the best south side - Stanley, Repulse Bay as it is farthest away from Mainland China and manufacturing so the winds really need to push it over the mountains! Having said that, some days southside are just like anywhere else in HK. The southerly breeze can help as i tens to be from an area which has lower pollution levels. The weather patterns really affect he air quality. It is often worse from Nov-Feb.

    I looked at Discovery Bay and thought the pollution there was really bad. Whilst there significnatly reduced roadside pollution, it is closer to industrial pollution as is the new territories. So I was really turned away the days I looked at it as an area to live.

    There are a few days a year where you are warned that the pollution has exceeded safety levels and to stay inside, but this is not so often. I must admit after a few years you become a little less worried about it as you are surrounded by it all the time!


  7. #7

    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    U.S.A.
    Posts
    39

    International schools are very hard to get in so where my kids go to school determines where we will end up living. I don't want a 3 and 5 year old take too long of a bus ride. Depending where we get accepted, we are considering Happy Valley, Pofulam.. definitely on the H.K. side.


  8. #8

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    HK Island
    Posts
    307

    Most people say children do get more sick the first year, general colds, etc. It was possibly true for mine too but not bad at all. Now I hardly have any problems. Schools are good with washing hands, etc.

    In terms of asthma, I heard some kids do better here (thanks to humidity, etc.) while others do worse.

    We're in Tai Tam, and they say south side is slightly better, but I guess it's all relative.