·
48 -
The gases and particles described originated from various sources. SO2 is mostly produced when fuels that contain sulphur are burned. NO2 is formed during combustion by the combination of nitrogen and oxygen, and by the atmospheric oxidation of nitric oxide (NO), also a product of combustion.
Vehicle exhaust is an important source of NO and NO2 in terms of impact on local air quality. It is also a major source of airborne particulate matter, especially the smaller respirable particles.
Diesel-engined vehicles such as taxis, public light buses, passenger coaches, franchised buses and light and heavy goods vehicles are the greatest contributor of particulate matter. Other sources include industry, furnaces and boilers, construction activities, the sea and the soil.
It is worth noting that while the weather and climate always affect the concentrations of pollutants in the air, the only sure way of reducing the levels is to reduce emissions from the man-made sources.
End/Friday, October 13, 1995
171
Action against cooling towers by Buildings Department
A total of 450 removal orders will be served by the Buildings Department in the coming few months on factory owners in San Po Kong and Chai Wan districts, asking them to remove cooling towers and supporting frames which have been abandoned or are poorly maintained.
The first batch of 12 orders were served today (Friday) to owners of factories in an industrial building in Choi Hung Road,
Chief Building Surveyor (Control and Enforcement), Mr Leung Siu-hong, said that the operation was an on-going effort by the Buildings Department to safeguard public safety and property from poorly maintained and dangerous cooling towers. In January this year, the Buildings Department published the results of a survey on coolers in industrial areas San Po Kong and Chai Wan. The survey covered 77 and 68 buildings in the two districts respectively.
Page 50Page 51