WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979
20
LEAD CONTENT OF PETROL
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THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT IN A POSITION TO GIVE A DEFINITE ANSWER AS TO WHETHER IT IS SATISFIED THE LEVEL OF THE LEAD CONTENT OF PETROL USED BY MOTOR VEHICLES IN HONG KONG WAS ACCEPTABLE FROM A HEALTH POINT OF VIEW.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. WONG LAM AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR. JONES EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE THE STAFF AND EQUIPMENT HE HAD REQUESTED FOR THE ENVRIONMENTAL PROTECTION UNIT HAD NOT YET BEEN PROVIDED.
HOWEVER, MR. JONES SAID THIS WAS NOW IN HAND AND WILL, HOPEFULLY, NOT TAKE TOO LONG+.
+THE IMPORTANT POINT TO CONSIDER HERE IS NOT SO MUCH THE AMOUNT OF LEAD EMITTED FROM INDIVIDUAL VEHICLE EXHAUSTS BUT THE ACTUAL CONCENTRATION OF LEAD REACHED IN THE ENVIRONMENT,+ MR. JONES STRESSED.
+ THE GENERAL OPINION WHICH I SHOULD EMPHASISE IS THAT IT IS MOST UNLIKELY THAT LEAD LEVELS IN HONG KONG HAVE REACHED LEVELS REQUIRING PRECIPITOUS ACTION. BUT THERE IS SUFFICIENT CAUSE FOR CONCERN FOR THIS TO BE A PRIORITY PROBLEM FOR ATTENTION ONCE THE NECESSARY SPECIALIST STAFF AND EQUIPMENT ARE AVAILABLE.+
MR. JONES SAID THAT IF THIS WORK THEN SHOWED LEAD LEVELS IN HONG KONG, OR IN CERTAIN AREAS, WERE UNACCEPTABLY HIGH IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY CONTROLS UNDER THE PROPOSED AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL +WHICH I HOPE TO BRING BEFORE THIS COUNCIL LATER IN THIS SESSION.+
+THE INTENTION IS THAT THIS LEGISLATION WILL, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CONTAIN PROVISIONS WHICH WILL PERMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTROL THE COMPOSITION OF FUEL IN GENERAL.
MR. WONG ALSO ASKED: +IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC HEALTH, WILL GOVERNMENT CONSIDER REQUIRING PETROL IMPORTERS TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE MOTORING PUBLIC LOW-OCTANE PETROL WHICH CONTAINS LESS LEAD THAN THE HIGH-OCTANE (PREMIER GRADE) PETROL CURRENTLY ON SALE IN HONG KONG?+
IN REPLY, MR. JONES SAID A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE PETROL- ENGINED VEHICLES NOW BEING USED IN HONG KONG WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL WELL WITH LOW OCTANE PETROL, EVEN WITH APPROPRIATE ADJUSTMENTS TO THEIR IGNITION SYSTEMS.
/+1 FEEL,