ENG-1973 — Page 255

THE ENVIRONMENT

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Company, substantial progress has also been made in reducing the level of sulphur dioxide in the Hung Hom area.

Results of monitoring carried out by the air pollution control unit of the Labour Department showed a significant reduction in sulphur dioxide concentration. At Hung Hom, the level of sulphur dioxide was only about one fifth of the maximum permitted level of 50 parts per hundred million set by the Advisory Committee on Air Pollution. Readings at the station at Queen Elizabeth Hospital dropped to about three parts per hundred million, while readings in the Sham Shui Po and Central Market stations were below one part per hundred million.

Smoke densities also showed a similar drop. This was due partly to the efforts of smoke inspectors of the air pollution control unit and co-operation from fuel- users. Although the unit relies more on constructive advice than stringent enforcement, it is still sometimes necessary to initiate prosecutions under the Clean Air Ordinance against persistent offenders. During the year it was necessary to prosecute in 11 cases under this ordinance, with fines ranging from $400 to $1,500.

Tsuen Wan was declared a smoke control area in March 1973, bringing the number of such areas to four.

Recently it became apparent that existing fragmented control over various aspects of environmental pollution was unsatisfactory. Therefore the Advisory Committee on Air Pollution was combined with the Advisory Committee on En- vironmental Pollution on Land and Water (EPCOM). The combined committee was given wider terms of reference, including investigation and control of noise pollution.

A preliminary investigation into pollution from agricultural wastes was made and a report outlining the problem and ideas for tackling it prepared by the Agricul- ture and Fisheries Department. This report was given to the Advisory Committee on Environmental Pollution, and other government departments. The department also gave assistance to consultants engaged by the government to look into the overall pollution problem in the New Territories.

An inter-departmental working committee under the chairmanship of the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries was created in June 1973, to make recom- mendations on co-ordination of marine pollution monitoring of local waters by several departments. Main aims are to determine what data is presently being col- lected, its frequency and technology standards used; to identify present information and data gaps which need filling to complete the background picture; to centralise a data bank of information available to all interested parties; and to collate the analyses of data. A considerable amount of chemical, physical and biological data is currently being collected and analysed. The biological situations in the present marine environment are being studied so that the effect of marine pollution on the biota and ecosystem can in future be related scientifically. This working committee will report to EPCOM.

Water pollution comes under the pollution control unit of the Marine Depart- ment. The three main aspects of harbour pollution dealt with by the unit are oil pollution, harbour scavenging and refuse collection from ocean-going vessels.

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