Reply:
45 -
Mr President,
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
The average concentrations of four major air pollutants measured in 1996 by the Environmental Protection Department's air monitoring stations are shown at the Annex.
The highest air pollution levels were recorded at busy roadsides and in Yuen Long, Kwun Tong and Sham Shui Po.
We do not envisage significant deterioration in general air quality in the next few years. Instead, the implementation of various air pollution control measures in recent years has substantially reduced the ambient concentrations of air pollutants such as lead and sulphur dioxide and improved the air quality in localised areas adjacent to pollution sources. Nonetheless, the high concentration of respirable suspended particulates from diesel vehicle emissions remains a major concern.
Air pollution from industrial activities are already subject to very stringent licence control. We also aim to implement the Construction Dust Regulation, now being examined by the Legislative Council, later this year to reduce emissions of dust particles from construction activities. The main source of Hong Kong's air pollution problem is diesel vehicle emissions. To abate vehicular pollution, we are working on an integrated vehicle emission control strategy which comprises five main elements -
(i)
(ii)
explore clean alternatives to diesel fuel; trial to use LPG is being planned;
adopt the most stringent practicable vehicle emission and fuel standards;
(iii) strengthen the control of smoky vehicles by adopting better
smoke testing procedures;
(iv)
step up the vehicle inspection programme to enhance maintenance of vehicles; and
(v)
launch more intensive education programmes targeted at both the community and drivers.