THE ENVIRONMENT
(including diesel powered vehicles) registered after January 1, 1992, to comply with stringent new emission standards.
Through the EPD vehicle smoke control programme, 32 900 vehicles spotted on the roads as being smoky were required to be tested. Of these, 13 100 were found to have been repaired prior to examination, while 3 100 still required further work. In addition to the government's Vehicle Emission Testing Centre, 18 designated private car testing centres were authorised to conduct tests in order to increase the number of vehicles that could be called for examination. A fee of $140 is charged for each test and it is hoped that the fee together with the increased testing capacity will encourage motorists to maintain their vehicles better.
Hong Kong's international obligations under the 1985 Vienna Convention for Protection of the Ozone Layer and the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol) are met by the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance. This ordinance prohibits local manufacture of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and bromofluoro- carbons (halons), and imposes restrictions on the import and export of these substances through registration and licensing controls. In 1991, three prosecutions were made under the ordinance, with fines ranging from $3,000 to $30,000. A quota system aimed at controlling the local consumption of CFCs has been in operation since the enactment of the ordinance in 1989. The consumption of halons will be subjected to similar controls in January 1992. Action is in hand to extend the list of ozone depleting substances in the light of proposed amendments to the Montreal Protocol, to enable full compliance with the revised protocol requirements by 1993.
Noise Pollution
The Noise Control Ordinance, its regulations and three Technical Memoranda issued under the ordinance are the major instruments for the control of construction, industrial, commercial and neighbourhood noise.
Operation of powered mechanical equipment in general construction work during weekday night-time (7 pm to 7 am), and on Sundays and public holidays is controlled by means of a construction noise permit system administered by the EPD. Permit applications are assessed in accordance with noise criteria and procedures contained in a Technical Memorandum. The permits generally specify the number and type of equipment that may be used.
Whenever practicable, the EPD will require the use of silenced equipment and adoption of noise reduction measures to minimise the noise impact. During the year, 1 603 permit applications were processed and 1 298 permits were issued. The EPD and the police. respond to complaints relating to night-time construction work and carry out enforcement checks. In 1991, 58 prosecutions were made for using powered mechanical equipment without a permit, or non-compliance with the permit conditions.
Percussive piling (ie noisy, hammering methods of piling) is prohibited during week- day night-time (7 pm to 7 am), and on Sundays and public holidays. The operation of percussive piling at other times is controlled by means of a permit system similar to that for the control of construction noise, except that operating hours are more restricted. The time restriction mechanism has provided an incentive for contractors to use some of the quieter piling methods currently available. Confining unavoidably noisy methods to specific hours also enables those in surrounding buildings to plan their activities better to avoid
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