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Transportation of asbestos substances
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Edward Leong Che-hung and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Reply:
Will the Administration inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Mr President,
(a)
whether there is any legislation currently in operation governing the transportation of substances containing asbestos, such as dismantled building wastes;
if the answer to (a) is in the affirmative, which Government department is responsible for enforcing the law; what is the number of prosecutions instituted against those in breach of the law in the past three years; and what is the average as well as the range of penalty imposed on those convicted;
if the answer to (a) is in the negative, whether the Government will introduce legislation to control the transportation of substances such as asbestos dust which is harmful to health; and
when will Parts VIII and IX of the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, dealing with control of environmental asbestos and asbestos control works, which were enacted in February 1993, be brought into operations; and what have been the reasons for the delay?
The collection, transportation and disposal of asbestos waste are controlled under the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste)(General) Regulation of the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap 354).