ENG-1978 — Page 285

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THE ENVIRONMENT

operations, some 50 small craft were under contract to the Marine Department. They were manned by contract labour operating under the supervision of Pollution Control Unit staff. An average of 15 tonnes of refuse was removed from the waters of Hong Kong each day, of which about 80 per cent was floating timber.

The Marine Department has formulated plans to mechanise its cleansing services to increase efficiency and productivity. As the first step, a floating, self-propelled mechanised refuse collector has been ordered from the United Kingdom. This specialised craft is widely used in Europe and the United States but Hong Kong will be the first place in the Far East to acquire one. Trials initially will take place in Aberdeen Harbour where the vessel's capabilities may be most effective.

Air Pollution

D

The Air Pollution Control Unit of the Labour Department is responsible for admi- nistering the Clean Air Ordinance, the Clean Air (Furnaces, Ovens and Chimneys) (Installation and Alteration) Regulations and the Clean Air (Restriction and Measure- ment of Smoke Emission) Regulations. It offers the industrial and commercial sectors free advice and technical assistance on the efficient use of fuel and the reduction of smoke emissions and other aerial pollutants.

The unit operates four daily monitoring stations. Readings at the Hung Hom station have shown an increase in sulphur dioxide concentrations since August, registering about one 20th of the maximum permitted level of 1,310 ug/m3. The 12-month mean average readings at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sham Shui Po and the Central Market stations, which were 90 ug/m3, 28 ug/m3 and 23 ug/m3 respec- tively, did not show any substantial increase in concentrations over the previous year's figures. The smoke density readings at Sham Shui Po and Central Market stations were 118 ug/m3 and 57 ug/m3 respectively, while readings at Hung Hom and Queen Elizabeth Hospital were 29 ug/m3 and 43 ug/m3.

Beginning in June, a 10-week environmental survey of air pollution levels was conducted jointly by staff of the unit and students of the University of Hong Kong. Concentrations of sulphur dioxide and lead particulates were monitored at different levels in busy streets and in industrial areas.

In 1978, the Air Pollution Control Unit received and investigated 974 air pollu- tion complaints from the public. Although the unit finds that constructive advice is usually more effective than stringent enforcement, prosecutions under the Clean Air Ordinance and its subsidiary regulations against persistent offenders are still necessary. There were 48 convictions with fines ranging from $200 to $2,000.

During 1978 Lai Chi Kok incinerator chimney was extended by 30 metres to 122 metres. The two older 61-metre chimneys were closed down, thus improving the dispersal of aerial pollutants from the incinerator. Prosecutions relating to the emission of exhaust smoke by vehicles continued in 1978 and two additional roadside smoke test units were provided. This resulted in a total of 5,571 prosecutions.

Drafting of the new Air Pollution Control Ordinance was almost complete and it is to be submitted to the Legislative Council for consideration. The ordinance seeks to consolidate existing provisions under the Clean Air Ordinance and to provide additional powers to control hazardous emissions and odours.

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