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"The air quality model will help evaluate air quality implications of major development proposals and fine tune air pollution control requirements," Assistant Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said.
The model will be run on a computer, using equations and algorithms, that has been developed, modified and tested to suit the hilly and highly urbanised environment of the territory.
"The study will include the compilation of a set of air pollution emission data. Verification work using actual field measurement data and meteorological data will be done to ensure that results obtained by the air quality model will be in line with real life pollution levels," Mr Tse said.
The $14.9 million consultancy study, scheduled for completion in early 1998, has been awarded to ERM-Hong Kong Limited.
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Grading of beach water quality
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (Thursday) announced the latest gradings of Hong Kong's beaches, based on the bacteriological water quality, for the 1996 swimming season.
The purpose of the grading system is to inform swimmers and the general public about the state of bacteriological pollution at various beaches.
The grading, based on the most recent E coli data obtained by EPD in its routine monitoring programme, will be announced biweekly during the bathing season to coincide with the frequency at which beach waters are usually sampled.
As with last year, the grading also includes an estimate of the risk of suffering some minior skin or gastrointestinal complaints as a result of swimming at a beach which has some degree of pollution.
The estimate is based on a large body of statistical information gathered in Hong Kong in recent bathing seasons.
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