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Discovering the truth about Hong Kong's air quality

To learn more about pollution levels in Hong Kong, we equipped Melody Cheng, a landscape designer and eco-enthusiast, with Dyson's prototype air quality backpack as she travelled through different areas.

Hong Kong pollution landscape

Dyson investigates air quality

Dyson engineers have been researching clean air technologies for over two decades. Using their advanced knowledge, they reworked the sensing technology in our purifiers and made it small enough to fit into a backpack. The backpack acts as a portable air-sensing device, collecting air pollution data on the move.

Dyson backpack - air pollution detecting technology

Analysing Melody's air pollution data

Melody wore Dyson’s prototype air quality backpack during her daily routine in Hong Kong over a two-day period.
The air quality backpack measures personal exposure to pollutants including PM2.5, VOCs and NO2.

Video thumbnail for air quality video

Increase in pollution levels during routine activities

Activities such as eating out at a restaurant, using hand sanitiser and visiting a local temple contributed to higher levels of pollution.
This highlights how daily activities can influence personal air pollution exposure.


Pollution levels

Download the full air quality report

Melody’s data findings showed an increase in pollution levels during daily routine activities
such as eating out at a restaurant, cycling through the city and visiting a local temple. Read the full report here.

Download the full air quality report

1.8 MB

Common pollutants found indoors and outdoors

Advanced HEPA filtration removes dust and allergens

The fully-sealed 360° HEPA filter captures 99.95% of ultrafine particles from the air.1 Combined with activated carbon, it also removes odours and potentially harmful VOCs.2 Dyson’s unique catalytic filter also continuously traps and destroys formaldehyde molecules3 – and never needs replacing.

HEPA filter - common pollutants

How to reduce your exposure to potential pollution sources


  • Travelling

    Choose quieter roads away from heavy traffic to help reduce exposure to pollutants caused by vehicles. Spend less time in polluted environments, such as stationary traffic, to help reduce overall exposure.


  • Indoor pollution

    Where possible, remove or reduce pollution sources like candles and dust indoors. Ventilate your home when outdoor pollution is low and keep windows closed when it’s high. Consider using an air purifier to help capture both particulate and gas pollutants in the home.


  • Public spaces

    Choose outdoor spaces away from pollution sources. Air circulation helps remove pollutants more quickly if there is pollution. Check the air pollution forecast for areas you plan to visit to help you avoid activities that might cause increased exposure. This is particularly useful if there’s going to be a city-wide pollution event.

Hong Kong residental view

Global research projects

This project invites editors, reporters, parent-child families, sportsmen, and online influencers to participate with the Dyson air quality backpack project, to investigate air quality in cities around the world.

  • Sydney case study

    Dyson’s air quality backpack tracks air pollution exposure throughout the daily routine of Australian Instagram influencer, Leah Williams.

  • Taiwan case study

    Alex Lam, a YouTuber, has an in-depth understanding of the air quality in various cities in Taiwan.

  • India case study

    Karuna Chauhan, a mother who lives in New Delhi, India, investigates air quality while performing daily activities.

Our latest purifier detects and destroys formaldehyde, continuously 3

Removes 99.95% of particles as small as 0.1 microns.1 It combines a solid-state formaldehyde sensor with our unique catalytic filter that continuously destroys formaldehyde. HEPA and activated carbon filters also capture bacteria, allergens, gases4 and other ultrafine pollutants.

Dyson Hot+Cool™ Formaldehyde purifier
*Hong Kong skyline image is from freepik.
1 Tested for filtration efficiency at 0.1 microns (EN1822, ISO29463).
2 Gas capture rates vary.
3 Third party full machine testing based on GB/T 18801-2018 formaldehyde cumulative clean mass testing with continuous injection until plateau of formaldehyde CADR is achieved. Results may vary in practice.
4 Tested to JEM 1467 (acetic acid, acetaldehyde, ammonia), GB/T18801 (formaldehyde, benzene) and DTM-003282 (NO2). Capture rates vary.