12.10 The Municipal Services Branch
The Food Section of the Municipal Services Branch monitors food, both imported and locally produced, for sale to ensure that they are hygienic and safe for human consumption. In the event of an emergency the experience of the Branch in the inspection of food will be valuable in arranging the monitoring of foodstuffs which may have become contaminated during the early phase of the accident. It is recommended that the Branch should develop its capability for monitoring for radioactivity so that personnel and equipment are available to survey the condition of foodstuffs, particularly fruit and vegetables, before they reach the consumer. Any such monitoring would be co-ordinated by the Monitoring and Assessment Centre and should be in a parallel direction with that carried out by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department.
12.11 The Environmental Protection Department
The Environmental Protection Department has a comprehensive monitoring scheme, with a network of six existing continuous monitoring stations to evaluate air pollution levels (another 3 will become operational by April 1988 and a further 7 are planned). The results from these fixed stations are telemetered to a central control station. The Department also operates a fully equipped mobile air quality monitoring laboratory. Although current work is concentrated on the investigation of the conventional gaseous and particulate air pollutants (such as oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, lead and asbestos) sampling could be extended to cover airborne radioactivity in the event of an emergency. Appropriate detection equipment should be provided for this purpose so that EPD will be able to offer assistance, where necessary, with the emergency air monitoring programme, see Chapter 8.
12.12 The City and New Territories Administration
The main role of the CNTA following any major accident at the Daya Bay plant would be the opening and operating of public enquiry sections through which public information and reassurance could be passed. As such they would also be able to monitor public reaction to the incident and keep the CCC briefed on developments. In the highly unlikely event of a very large, beyond design-basis, accident occurring, such that sheltering could be recommended for areas close to the border, the CNTA would be asked to open and man the temporary shelters.
12.13 The Social Welfare Department
In the event of a major accident the Social Welfare Department should be prepared to provide emergency relief to people in need of help.
12.14 Protection of Emergency Workers
In the highly unlikely event of an emergency requiring sheltering of the public in any area of Hong Kong, it would still be necessary for emergency services and monitoring teams to operate outside. Sheltering is a measure designed to minimise the long-term health detriment which might affect a few people out of a population of many thousands. The individual risk to emergency workers in a radiological emergency is likely to be extremely low, nevertheless this should be minimised. Where possible the outer clothing of emergency workers who have been exposed to airborne radioactivity should be removed and they should shower before they return home. The provision of disposable coveralls for emergency workers may be useful. It is not considered that respiratory protection would be essential, but provision of respirators should be considered as it should increase the confidence of emergency teams in continuing to work during the peak period of airborne radioactivity. Consideration should also be given to
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