Speaker   Dr. DENG Wenjing, EdUHK SES
Date and Time   10 May 2017 (Wednesday) 12:30pm – 1:00pm
Venue   D3-G-05, Tai Po Campus
Language   English

Abstract
Paying attention to the effect of IAP (Indoor Air Pollution) on the health of school children is one of the key focuses of the Healthy Environments for Children Alliance. Flame retardants of Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and dechlorane plus (DP) through indoor PM2.5 and dust, carbonyl compounds and black carbon aerosol were all detected in five Hong Kong kindergartens, and might present non-cancer risk and cancer risk to children. The PM2.5 levels of the five kindergartens were higher, and several of them exceeded the WHO standard. Formaldehyde was the most abundant air aldehyde. BDE47 and BDE99 comprised the bulk of the targeted flame retardants measured in PM2.5 and dust samples. The cancer hazard quotients of formaldehyde indoors and outdoors were above 10-6. Indoor air pollution in the five Hong Kong kindergartens might present adverse effects to children.

About the Speaker
Dr. Deng Wenjing is an Assistant Professor of the Department of Science and Environmental Development, at the Education University of Hong Kong. Dr Deng specialized in environmental pollutants and waste management. She has published more than 30 academic SCI papers in leading international journals, including Environment International, Atmospheric Environment, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, and Environmental Geochemistry and Health, etc. Since 2011, Dr Deng has secured various external as well as internal research grants totaling to HK$ 2.8 million, including a major project funded by the Early Career Scheme (ECS). Her articles appeared in leading newspapers, including South China Morning Post, Ming Pao and Singtao Daily. Dr Deng is supervising a PhD student and some MA students.