XN000022-1986-11-10 — Page 7

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1986

+ IN 1985,+THE REPORT CONTINUES, THE GOVERNMENT, AS PART OF THE HARWELL CONSULTANCY, SOUGHT EXPERT ADVICE IN THIS FIELD... MEANWHILE IT HAS BEEN AGREED WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT THAT COVERAGE OF THE CONCEPT OF NUCLEAR ENERGY SHOULD ALSO BE STRENGTHENED IN THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM.+

DISCUSSION OF MANY OTHER SAFETY ASPECTS IS INCLUDED IN THE REPORT, INCLUDING STANDARDS IN THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PLANT TRAINING SAFETY CONTROL: LEGCO FACT-FINDING DELEGATIONS AS WELL AS MISSIONS BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS; AND INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCY AND ASSISTANCE.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE TIME CONSTRAINTS IN ISSUING THE REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ONLY ENGLISH COPIES WERE AVAILABLE TODAY, BUT COPIES IN CHINESE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE VERY SHORTLY.

EPCOM BRIEFED ON BEACH WATER STUDY

*****

THE LINK BETWEEN POLLUTION AT BATHING BEACHES AND THE HEALTH OF SWIMMERS IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG'S DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE.

MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) WERE BRIEFED AT A MEETING TODAY (MONDAY) ON THE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS OF THE STUDY IN WHICH 6 000 FAMILIES USING FOUR BEACHES DURING THE SUMMER WERE CONTACTED. AT THE SAME TIME, POLLUTION WAS MEASURED IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAYS.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS ARE THAT SICKNESS RATES AMONG SWIMMERS

BUT RATES OF EYE INFECTION ARE SOMEWHAT HIGHER.

ARE LOW,

THE STUDY WILL CONTINUE FOR TWO MORE YEARS TO GATHER ENOUGH MEASUREMENTS ON WHICH TO BASE FIRM CONCLUSIONS.

/ITS PURPOSE