ENG-1986 — Page 335

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THE ENVIRONMENT

The Air Pollution Control (Smoke) Regulations provide for the restriction of dark smoke emission from stationary combustion sources, and 59 prosecutions were initiated against recalcitrant offenders.

The Air Pollution Control (Furnaces, Ovens and Chimneys) (Installation and Alteration) Regulations provide for the submission of plans and specifications for the installation or alteration of fuel-using equipment to ensure appropriate design. Some 450 sets of such plans and specifications were processed, and 42 prosecutions were taken out in connection with unauthorised work.

In the course of carrying out their enforcement duties, staff of the Air Control Group made 6 531 visits to industrial and commercial establishments and government plants to give advice on air pollution control matters.

Some 1 418 air pollution complaints were received and investigated, most of which were resolved through voluntary remedial measures advised by the control staff, or through legal action.

A Vehicle Emission Control Section will be set up in the EPD to take over the existing smoky vehicles control programmes from the Transport Department and the Royal Hong Kong Police Force and to be responsible for policy development in regard to motor vehicle emissions. Plans are in hand to set up a team of professional and technical staff to implement the scheme which is in line with recommendations made by a United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Consultant.

Other measures to control air pollution are contained in the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations, which require new vehicles to meet the same exhaust emission standards specified by the Economic Commission for Europe, and in addition require that exhaust smoke should not exceed 60 Hartridge smoke units.

A programme of reductions in the lead content of petrol has been agreed with the oil supply industry in Hong Kong. The lead content was reduced from 0.84 g/l to 0.6 g/l in July, 1981, to 0.4 g/l in January, 1983, and to the present 0.25 g/l in January, 1985. Similar agreements led in September, 1985 to the reduction of sulphur in No. 3 grade oil from a maximum of 2.8 per cent to 2.5 per cent.

Progress has also been made with noise controls. A comprehensive Noise Control Bill has been drafted, to consolidate and extend existing controls on noise and to reassign various statutory powers to the Director of Environmental Protection. The draft bill was released for public consultation in October, and is expected to be put before the legislature in 1987.

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Meanwhile, the more significant existing' controls on noise are enforced under the Summary Offences Ordinance and the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance. It is an offence under the Summary Offences Ordinance to disturb public tranquility between p.m. and 6 a.m., and this ordinance specifically provides for the control of construction noise at night and on public holidays. At present, the police respond to complaints about construction and neighbourhood noise. Under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, the Urban Council and Regional Council are the authorities in their respective areas for the control of noise nuisance caused by ventilation and air-conditioning systems. About 550 complaints were received and investigated during the year, leading to the issue of 158 abatement notices and seven prosecutions.

Conservation and management of Hong Kong's countryside is one of the responsibilities of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, under the Country Parks Ordinance. This ordinance, which came into effect in 1976, provides for the designation, control and management of the most important areas of countryside as country parks, and enables