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Air quality in underground car parks monitored
Following is a question by Dr the Hon John Tse Wing-ling and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday);
Question:
As the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) intends to issue a practice note regarding the control of air quality in underground car parks, will the Government inform this Council:
Reply:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Mr President,
(a)
(b)
whether the EPD regularly monitors the air quality in underground car parks; if so, of the results of the inspections conducted by the EPD in the past three years;
whether, in assessing the air quality in such car parks, the effects of such pollutants as benzene, suspended particulates and ozone emitted by petrol-engined vehicles and diesel-engined vehicles have been assessed; if not, why not; and
in regard to those car parks with air quality below the required standards, whether the Government has put in place any measures requiring the management companies to improve the air quality in such car parks; and whether the Government will consider introducing legislation to regulate the air quality in underground car parks?
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) conducted surveys on the levels of carbon monoxide in 38 underground car parks in the territory in late 1992 and early 1993. The surveys showed that half of these car parks have relatively high concentrations of carbon monoxide, which could be reduced if ventilation was improved.
Pollutants such as benzene, suspended particulates and ozone have not been assessed because carbon monoxide levels are generally indicative of the air quality inside a car park. Other air pollutants are unlikely to be excessive if carbon monoxide is maintained at an acceptable level.