THE ENVIRONMENT
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adopted a policy that gives priority to rail over road, and to encourage innovation wherever practical.
Control of Environmental Asbestos
Hong Kong has strict control on the use and handling of asbestos. The Air Pollution Control Ordinance bans the import and sale of the more dangerous types of asbestos, namely amosite and crocidolite, from May 1996. It also provides for the control on activities that might lead to asbestos dust emissions. Anyone intending to remove asbestos except for asbestos-containing materials that are exempted must engage registered professionals, and submit asbestos investigation reports and asbestos abatement plans to the EPD. The department also carries out regular inspections to ensure material containing asbestos is handled and disposed of properly.
Ozone Layer Protection A Global Responsibility
Joining a global effort, Hong Kong has taken up its obligations under the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. The Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance was introduced in 1989. Hong Kong has prohibited both local manufacture and import of substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons for local consumption. CFCs are commonly used as refrigerants in air conditioners and freezers, and halons in fire extinguishers. The EPD also sets a quota to control the import of hydrochlorofluorocarbons, which do less damage to the ozone layer. In 2001, there were six prosecutions for the illegal import of ozone- depleting substances, with fines totalling $552,000.
Noise
Noise from industrial or commercial activities is controlled by means of Noise Abatement Notices. The EPD may serve notice to require the owners of premises emitting excessive noise to reduce it within a given period. In 2001, the department investigated about 3 400 complaints and served some 170 abatement notices, which led to about 50 prosecutions.
Road traffic noise is one of the most pervasive forms of pollution in Hong Kong. Under existing policy, when planning new roads, the relevant department or developer must ensure that traffic noise will stay below the noise limit. If it is envisaged that traffic noise generated will exceed the noise limit, they must adopt all practicable direct measures such as adjusting the alignment and erecting barriers or enclosures to reduce the impact on residents in the neighbourhood. Where direct measures are inadequate, they have to provide the affected residents with indirect technical remedies in the form of good quality windows and air-conditioning.
To ensure that individual vehicles do not produce excessive noise, the Government introduced legislation in 1996 requiring all newly registered vehicles to comply with stringent noise standards. It will continue to move in step with the international trend on this front. In addition, all high-speed (70km/hr or above) roads have been resurfaced with low noise material where technically feasible.
To address the noise impact of existing roads on residents, the Government established a new policy in 2000 under which engineering solutions, by way of retrofitting of barriers and enclosures, and resurfacing with low noise material, would be implemented where practicable at existing excessively noisy roads. Where such