THE ENVIRONMENT
of noisy percussive hammers (including diesel, steam and pneumatic hammers) in built-up areas was enacted in May 1997 for implementation early in 1998.
Hand-held percussive breakers and air compressors for construction activities are required to comply with stringent noise emission standards and to obtain a 'green' noise emission label in order to phase out old and noisy equipment. In 1997, about 1 600 labels were issued and there were five prosecutions for operating these products without a label. Over 90 per cent of the labels are issued to newly imported, quiet models.
Hong Kong has strict controls on the use and handling of asbestos. The Air Pollution Control Ordinance bans the import and sale of the more potentially dangerous types of asbestos, namely amosite and crocidolite, from May 1996. It also provides for the control of activities that might lead to asbestos dust emissions. From June 1997, anyone intending to undertake asbestos removal must engage registered asbestos consultants, contractors, supervisors and laboratories, and must submit investigation reports and asbestos abatement plans to the EPD, before starting work. The department also carries out regular inspections to ensure materials containing asbestos are handled and disposed of properly.
The many urban development projects have generated a vast quantity of dredged marine mud, 11.5 million cubic metres in 1997, that is unsuitable for reclamation and other uses. It is dumped at sea in specified spoil grounds. The EPD controls dumping under the Dumping at Sea Ordinance. The department also follows the international requirements of the London Convention on marine dumping. Marine dumping of surplus excavated material and other construction wastes is not permitted unless there is no other environmentally feasible disposal option and the marine dumping of the waste has no undue adverse impact.
Because of the serious impacts of illegal dumping on the marine environment, the EPD maintains strict control over dumping operations. Only a vessel equipped with an automatic self-monitoring device can be listed in a marine dumping permit. This device tracks all marine dumping operations by recording the position and draught of the vessel, so that the authorities can trace any illegal dumping in a cost-effective manner. Moreover, the department's inspectors operate frequent patrols. Offenders are subject to prosecution, and repeat offenders may face having their permits revoked or applications for new ones refused.
Livestock Waste
Indiscriminate disposal of waste from the livestock industry has been one of the main causes of pollution in streams in the New Territories, and still constitutes a health hazard in places. Before 1987, the 700 000 pigs and 12 million poultry produced a total of 840 000 tonnes of wastes. This was equivalent to the pollution load of the raw sewage from more than 1.6 million people. Most of it ended up in Hong Kong's small streams and rivers and eventually, the sea. Since 1988, keeping livestock in new towns and environmentally sensitive areas has been banned under the Waste Disposal Ordinance. Where they are allowed, all livestock farms must be equipped with proper waste treatment systems. By the end of 1997, the pollution load had been reduced to about 81 000 tonnes.
Livestock farmers wishing to continue in business are eligible for a grant and a loan to help pay for pollution-control facilities. Since the start of the scheme in 1987,
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