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Fo Tan rivers.
In addition,
organic pollutants,
such as poly-chlorinated biphenyls and DDT and its
metabolites, which are also found, are derived at least
in part from industrial sources, as are heavy metals such
These pollutants are persistent
as chromium and copper.
in marine organisms, and can therefore pose potential
public health risks.
5.
In view of its use for recreational purposes,
the bacterial quality of the Shing Mun River has been
carefully assessed by the Environmental Protection
Agency. The state of the lower Shing Mun River is
definitely unacceptable, with levels of the bacterium
E.Coli, an indicator of faecal pollution, approaching
those expected in the effluent from a biological sewage
treatment plant. The levels of pathogens which typically
cause skin, eye, ear and wound infections are not
exceptionally high, but three diarrhoea-causing bacteria
are present in considerable numbers. This amounts to a
marginal health risk to existing recreational users of
the river. Swimming is definitely not recommended.
6.
The continuation and, indeed, intensification of
the Government's efforts on pollution control in this area
is vitally important.
District working groups have been
established in Sha Tin and Tai Po and action is in hand
/to improve....
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