Something I find interesting about the comments so far on this thread is that many people are talking about allergies and asthma--which of course, make one's life miserable and unbearable and in some cases can prove very dangerous (as Koan has talked about) but in the vast majority of cases is one of those discomforts in life that most people use medication to deal with. Many people suffer from allergies and asthma all over the world for various reasons (high pollen content in the air, for example, as nicolejoy pointed out or even personal immune system issues). People who live in somewhat pristine environments may still have problems with asthma or allergies despite breathing cleaner air.
But, what I'd like to talk about--and maybe others have more information regarding this--is the toxic properties found in the air in HK. I don't think you can go and get an antihistamine or steroid to help your lungs cope with (or clean them of)
toxic matter in the air--such as
sulfur dioxide *damages lungs when inhaled*;
nitrogen oxide *causes pulmonary edema*;
carbon monoxide *toxic to the central nervous system and heart, can severely affect fetuses, causes headaches and dizziness*;
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) *aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene and xylene are potential carcinogens and may cause leukemia, cause "sick building syndrome", contribute to respiratory problems*;
ozone *irritation of the respiratory system and respiratory infections, inflammation and damage to the lining of the lungs*;
POPs (Peristant Organic Pollutants) *death and illness, disruption of the endocrine, reproductive and immune systems, neurobehavioral disorders, cancers*;
Airborne Particles *asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular problems*
This goes beyond allergies and asthma. And while I am happy to hear any good news come out of the fact that HK's visibility is less than 8 km for 30% of the year now--to hear that asthma sufferers and people who have problems with pollen might find HK a better place for them. I don't think we can just be delusional about the reality of air pollution in this city. Because a few people who suffered from asthma have benefited from lower pollen levels in HK does not make any of the above toxic substances that you and your children are breathing every day any less damaging or cancerous.
I wish I could find an image of an ad from
Clean The Air Hong Kong that frequently runs in HK Magazine with a picture of a surgical mask and a heading that says "Deadlier than Swine Flu and SARS"--air pollution kills ____ people each year in Hong Kong.
The
government is under pressure to do something. But when you have a Chief Executive who says non sequitur things
like this:
"The life expectancy in Hong Kong is among the highest in the world ... you can come to only one conclusion: we have the most environmentally friendly place for people, for executives, for Hong Kong people to live."
However, there seems to be a general delusion (ignoring the elephant in the room) about the real air quality of HK air which the EPA has been criticized for--basically Hong Kong uses it's own made-up air quality measurements and does not use international standards (trying to hide something?) and does not even report on some of the major pollutants. How many of us have listened to the evening news only to hear the weather caster say, "The pollution forecast for tomorrow ranges from LOW to HIGH." What does that even mean? It's like saying, "Tomorrow it could be freezing or hot."
I'm at the far end of east. I like it here too especially if i see blue skies and eagles gilding. 
