ENG-1995 — Page 453

THE ENVIRONMENT

Noise emission from hand-held percussive breakers and air compressors for construction activities is controlled. Only those complying with stringent noise emission standards can obtain a 'green' Noise Emission Label from the department allowing their use. Of the 1 784 label applications received in 1995, 1 734 labels were issued. There were 13 prosecutions for operating this equipment without a label.

Control of asbestos is a significant air pollution concern in construction and demolition. The department installed a transmission electron microscope in 1991 to help definitive identification of asbestos fibres and pave the way for the effective enforcement of new regulations. The Air Pollution Control (Amendment) Ordinance 1993 introduced a full range of measures for the control of materials containing asbestos in buildings and ships.

During 1995, the department made 620 inspections, mainly of building demolition and renovation sites, temporary housing areas, housing estates and private buildings, to ensure materials containing asbestos were handled and disposed of properly in accordance with the relevant guidelines and codes of practice. Its asbestos laboratory analysed 387 bulk samples and 177 air samples.

Construction and demolition wastes of suitable quality, including dredged material, may be dumped at sea subject to legislative controls. Anyone intending to dump dredged marine spoil or excavated material that is unsuitable for reclamation use must first obtain a permit from the Director of Environmental Protection. Spoil grounds have been earmarked for the disposal of dredged marine spoil or excavated materials unsuitable for reclamation and all marine dumping activities must be carried out at these specified sites.

The large number of port- and airport-related projects has generated a vast quantity of materials requiring marine disposal. Because of the serious impact of illegal spoil dumping on marine life, the department maintains strict controls. A vessel must be equipped with an automatic self-monitoring device before it can be listed in the marine dumping permit. The device tracks all marine dumping operations by keeping a continuous record of the position and draft of the vessel, so that the authorities can trace any illegal dumping in a more cost-effective manner.

The department's inspectors operate frequent marine patrols supplemented by helicopter patrols. Offenders who are caught are prosecuted, and repeat offenders face having their permits revoked or applications for new ones refused.

Livestock Waste

Indiscriminate disposal of waste from the livestock industry was one of the main causes of pollution in streams in the New Territories, and constituted a health hazard. Under the Waste Disposal Ordinance, livestock-keeping has been banned in urban and environmentally-sensitive areas of Hong Kong. Where they are allowed, all livestock farms are licensed to ensure that the farms are equipped with proper waste treatment systems.

Complementing these controls is an administrative scheme to help operators. An operator wishing to continue in business is eligible for a grant and a loan to help pay for pollution-control facilities. Since the start of the scheme in 1987, about $8 million has been paid out in capital grants.

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