5.2b Better Air Quality

The EPD runs a network of monitoring stations to monitor the air quality in Hong Kong. To tackle the main source of local street level pollution, it has implemented programmes to reduce motor vehicle emissions. The EPD is also working closely with relevant Guangdong authorities to address the growing problem of regional air pollution.

Monitoring

The EPD operates 14 fixed air quality monitoring stations, three of which are near roadsides. The remaining 11 are general ambient stations. Roadside air quality has shown continuous improvement as a result of a $1.4 billion programme announced in 1999 to reduce emissions from motor vehicles. Between 1999 and the end of 2003, the levels of respirable suspended particulates and nitrogen oxides at roadsides dropped by 13% and 23% respectively. In terms of ambient air concentrations, the level of nitrogen oxides dropped by 11% while that of respirable suspended particulates increased by 4% compared with 1999. This reflects a deterioration in regional air quality.

Table A sets out the status of various monitoring stations in compliance with long-term Air Quality Objectives for major air pollutants in 2003.

Non-compliance with short-term Air Quality Objectives can best be represented by the frequency at which the Air Pollution Index exceeds 100. In 2003, the Air Pollution Index exceeded the 100 mark 1 438 times, a drop of 22% over 1999.

Motor Vehicle Pollution

Replacing diesels
All newly registered taxis have been required by law to use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or petrol since 1 August 2001. By the end of 2003, over 99% of taxis were fuelled by LPG.

Since August 2002, the Government has operated an incentive scheme to encourage early replacement of diesel light buses with LPG or electric ones. Owners of diesel public light buses are entitled to a one-off grant of $60,000 or $80,000 if they switch to an LPG or electric vehicle, while private diesel light bus owners are entitled to exemption of their first registration tax. By the end of 2003, about 80% of newly registered public light buses were fuelled by LPG.

Retrofitting older vehicles
Diesel vehicles imported before Euro I vehicle emission standards were introduced in 1995 emit high levels of pollutants. The EPD therefore is helping vehicle owners to retrofit their vehicles with devices that reduce particulate emissions, by offering grants to cover the costs. The retrofit programme for diesel light vehicles (four tonnes or below) was completed in October 2001 and from 1 December 2003, it became mandatory for these diesels to be fitted with the devices.

The programme to retrofit heavy diesel vehicles (over four tonnes) with catalysts has been implemented since end-2002. By the end of 2003, over 15 000 heavy diesels had been retrofitted under the scheme.

Vehicle and fuel standards
The Government introduced Euro III standards for newly-registered vehicles in January 2001. It is expected that as older vehicles are gradually retired and replaced, this measure will have a positive impact on air quality. Euro IV standards are likely to be introduced in 2006 at the same pace as the European Union. In 2002 ultra-low sulphur diesel became the only diesel fuel allowed at petrol stations by law. According to "International Fuel Quality Center: A Summary of Worldwide Automotive Fuel Specifications, Jan 2004" (web-site: http://www.ifqc.org/), Hong Kong is the first Asian city with the most stringent mandatory motor diesel standard.

Regional Air Pollution

Pearl River Delta Air Quality
Regional air pollution in the Pearl River Delta is getting worse. It is a major contributor to the smog problem in Hong Kong. This led to the Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection agreeing in 2002 on targets for reducing air pollution by 2010. Using 1997 emissions as the reference, sulphur dioxide emissions would be cut by 40%, nitrogen oxides by 20%, respirable suspended particulates by 55% and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by 55% to improve air quality. These targets are achievable in Hong Kong by adopting further controls on power plants and motor vehicle emissions and control measures on VOC-containing products.

The EPD also has been assisting the government to explore the feasibility of a cross-border emissions trading scheme for power plants in Hong Kong and the region. Given the past achievements in reducing power plant emissions, further reductions will be more difficult and this may be one way of addressing that situation.

Photo of Peral River Delta Regional Air Monitoring Network.

Other Air Issues

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
An IAQ certification scheme for offices and public places was introduced in September 2003. Building owners or managers of these premises may employ a competent examiner to conduct IAQ measurements and, if the premises is in compliance with the requirements specified, it can be certified and issued with a certificate. The first certified premises was the EPD’s Indoor Air Quality Information Centre. In addition, guidelines for better air quality inside bus and train compartments, as well as stations, were issued in 2003. Hong Kong is one of the few places in the world to provide certification and transport guidelines for indoor air quality.

Vapour Recovery
A proposal to control petrol vapour emissions during vehicle refuelling at petrol filling stations was issued for consultation with the oil companies and the Legislative Council in 2003. Following this, the proposal was further refined and the regulations for the control are now being drafted. They will be introduced to the Legislative Council in 2004.

Photo of Vapour Recovery System for Refueling.

Volatile Organic Compounds
A draft proposal was being prepared for introducing a labelling scheme for printing ink, paints and selected consumer products containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The implementation of the proposal will help pave the way for limiting the maximum VOC content of such products as and when necessary. Our target is to consult the public about the proposal in 2004.

Ozone Layer Protection
A proposal has been prepared to reduce CFC emissions from existing equipment and ultimately eliminate the use of ozone depleting substance. The proposal suggests banning the import of products containing CFCs by phases and expanding the scope of products under control. Separately, in line with the phasing-out schedule established under the Montreal Protocol, the import quota for local consumption of HCFCs has been further reduced by 35% from January 2004 onwards and a publicity programme has been launched to encourage the trade to adopt ozone-friendly alternatives. Moreover, a new combined import and export licence, introduced in early 2004, will improve the control on the transshipment of a scheduled substance through Hong Kong.

The EPD has made extra efforts to reduce the release of methyl bromide by local fumigators during preshipment fumigation. Methyl bromide is a chemical with strong ozone-depleting potential, but its use in preshipment fumigation is not yet regulated under the Montreal Protocol. In a fumigation operation for imported woodlogs for re-export in mid-2003, the fumigator was required to install an activated carbon system to recover most of the spent methyl bromide that would otherwise be emitted after fumigation.