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Measures to control air quality in tunnels
Following is a question by the Hon Christine Loh and a written reply by the acting Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Canice Mak, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
In 1993, the Environmental Protection Department issued the "Practice Notes on Control of Air Pollution in Vehicle Tunnels" to all tunnel operators. The Notes set down guidelines on the minimum requirements for three air pollutants: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. As tunnel operators are already required by legislation and the terms of management contracts to monitor the concentration of carbon monoxide to ensure that it does not exceed the prescribed limits, and in view of the Government's recent statement that it will discuss with the tunnel operators the feasibility of installing nitrogen dioxide monitors inside the tunnels, will the Administration inform this Council whether:
(a)
(b)
it will consider bringing in regulatory control on the level of sulphur dioxide as well as other pollutants (such as suspended particulates and various hydrocarbons) inside road tunnels; if so; what the details are; if not, why not; and
it will adopt other measures to improve the air quality in all road tunnels to a standard conforming to the guidelines laid down in the Practice Notes?
Reply:
Mr President,
(a)
We will consider the need for legislation to ensure the consistent application of the air quality standards set out in the Practice Notes to all road tunnels. The development of new legislation will, however, require time. In the meantime, and as set out in my reply to a question from the Hon Choy Kan-pui on 26 June 1996, tunnels operators are already required, either by legislation or by contract terms, to monitor the level of carbon monoxide in the tunnels. They are also required to monitor visibility as well. The levels of carbon monoxide and visibility, together with nitrogen dioxide, are sufficiently indicative of the air quality inside the tunnels.