XN000022-1995-11-22 — Page 48

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Pollutants discharged from dry cleaning

Following is a question by Dr the Hon John Tse Wing-ling and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Enviroment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council:

(a) what are the pollutants discharged from the dry cleaning industry in the territory;

(b) whether these pollutants (e.g. tetrachloroethylene) have harmful effects on public health; if so, what measures the Government will take to safeguard the health of residents living near dry cleaning establishments and to ensure that they will not suffer from the steam and heat generated from these establishments;

(c) whether there are any established limits for occupational exposure to carcinogenic agents for the dry clean industry; if so, whether dry clean workers are considered vulnerable to known occupational diseases; and

(d) whether there are long-term plans and strategies in dealing with the hazardous air pollutants discharged from the dry cleaning industry; if so, what are the details?

Reply:

Mr President,

(a) Pollutants discharged from dry cleaning include 111-trichloroethane and perchloroethylene (tetrachloroethylene).