THE ENVIRONMENT
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smoke emissions, fuel quality, open burning, certain industrial processes and dust emissions from construction works.
Air pollution arouses great public concern, especially when factories are near homes. The department investigated 3 311 complaints of air pollution, and issued 221 legal notices instructing offenders to abate air pollution.
Some large industrial facilities and processes cause more air pollution than others. The Air Pollution Control Ordinance specifies these processes, which must operate under a licence setting out the measures each must adopt to minimise air pollution. The department has implemented this control in phases with most specified processes to be licensed by 1998. By the end of 1998, about 87 per cent of the specified process premises had been under licensing control, in line with the department's target.
Noise from industrial or commercial activities is controlled by means of Noise Abatement Notices. The department may serve notice to require the owners of premises emitting excessive noise to reduce it within a given period. In 1998, the department investigated around 2 600 complaints and served some 220 abatement notices, which led to about 80 convictions. These figures are not high when compared with more than 350 000 premises subject to control, but are a little higher than in 1997.
Floating Refuse in the Harbour
The Marine Department collects floating refuse through a combined fleet of government and contract vessels. The government has stepped up its preventive action against sources of floating refuse through collaboration with the Agriculture and Fisheries, Urban Services, Regional Services and Marine Departments.
More refuse collection points have been set up in busy areas and publicity and educational activities increased. In 1996, the Marine Department began a three-year programme to modernise its refuse collection and scavenging fleet. Four new specialised vessels have been added to the existing fleet of seven and another two will come into operation by March 1999. In all, 58 contract vessels have been hired to strengthen the refuse collection service.
Transport
To tackle Hong Kong's air pollution problems, government policy is to apply the most stringent motor vehicle fuel and emission standards, once they become practical and locally available.
All new petrol cars must be fitted with catalytic converters to control emissions. The market share of unleaded petrol has gradually increased at an annual average rate of about 4 per cent to reach 90 per cent in 1998. Cleaner fuel and tighter emission standards introduced over the past few years have further reduced pollution from vehicles.
Diesel vehicles are major contributors to Hong Kong's vehicle emission problems. Government control strategies include introducing up-to-date emission standards, tightened inspection requirements, and higher penalties on smoky vehicles. Large diesel vehicles must meet Euro II standards and small ones Euro phase II standards, which are currently enforced in the European Union. Only a very low sulphur content