EPD - Pollution Problems & Practical Solutions

Air
Activities
Bitumen
Problem
Odour
Relevant Env. Control Under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, Cap. 311, any person causing the air nuisance to the atmosphere requires the adoption of air pollution abatement measures.
Practical Solutions
  • Only use windows for ventilation. Keep the main door closed and seal all gaps with plastic coverings or wet towels to avoid causing nuisance to the neighbour
  • Encourage the neighbour to cover the main door with plastic sheets or seal the door gaps with wet towels
  • Compare the product label on the VOC content and choose product without or with low VOC
  • Store VOC-containing products in air-tight containers
  • Agree with neighbour on the use of VOC products in mutually acceptable hours
  • Use mechanical ventilation devices such as fan and blower
  • Use absorbent and filter
 
   
Activities
Carpentering & Cutting
Problem
Dust
Relevant Env. Control Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation, Cap. 311R requires the relevant contractor to adopt effective dust control measures.
Practical Solutions
  • Close the main door all the time. Cover plastic sheet on top and seal door gaps with wet towels
  • Enclose the renovation work area with tight partitions in commercial premises
  • Cement, sand, debris or other dusty materials stored outside the site should be covered up or kept moist
  • Spray water before breaking, grinding, sand papering or wood cutting operation
  • Fit vacuum cleaner to grinding, sand papering or wood cutting machines
  • Maintain good house-keeping and increase the cleaning frequency of the surrounding areas
 
   
Activities
Cement
Problem
Dust
Relevant Env. Control Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation, Cap. 311R requires the relevant contractor to adopt effective dust control measures.
Practical Solutions
  • Close the main door all the time. Cover plastic sheet on top and seal door gaps with wet towels
  • Enclose the renovation work area with tight partitions in commercial premises
  • Cement, sand, debris or other dusty materials stored outside the site should be covered up or kept moist
    Use plastic sheet to cover up sand, cement and debris to avoid fugitive dust.
    Use plastic sheet to cover up sand, cement and debris to avoid fugitive dust.
  • Spray water before breaking, grinding, sand papering or wood cutting operation
  • Fit vacuum cleaner to grinding, sand papering or wood cutting machines
  • Maintain good house-keeping and increase the cleaning frequency of the surrounding areas
 
   
Activities
Demolition
Problem
Dust
Relevant Env. Control Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation, Cap. 311R requires the relevant contractor to adopt effective dust control measures.
Practical Solutions
  • Close the main door all the time. Cover plastic sheet on top and seal door gaps with wet towels
  • Enclose the renovation work area with tight partitions in commercial premises
    Enclose the work area with tight partition to avoid emission of fugitive dust and for aesthetic purpose.
    Enclose the work area with tight partition to avoid emission of fugitive dust and for aesthetic purpose.
  • Cement, sand, debris or other dusty materials stored outside the site should be covered up or kept moist
  • Spray water before breaking, grinding, sand papering or wood cutting operation
    Spray water when conducting dusty operation, such as breaking work.
    Spray water when conducting dusty operation, such as breaking work.
  • Fit vacuum cleaner to grinding, sand papering or wood cutting machines
  • Maintain good house-keeping and increase the cleaning frequency of the surrounding areas
 
   
Activities
Glue
Problem
Odour
Relevant Env. Control Under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, Cap. 311, any person causing the air nuisance to the atmosphere requires the adoption of air pollution abatement measures.
Practical Solutions
  • Only use windows for ventilation. Keep the main door closed and seal all gaps with plastic coverings or wet towels to avoid causing nuisance to the neighbour
  • Encourage the neighbour to cover the main door with plastic sheets or seal the door gaps with wet towels
  • Compare the product label on the VOC content and choose product without or with low VOC
  • Store VOC-containing products in air-tight containers
  • Agree with neighbour on the use of VOC products in mutually acceptable hours
  • Use mechanical ventilation devices such as fan and blower
  • Use absorbent and filter
 
   
Activities
Grinding
Problem
Dust
Relevant Env. Control Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation, Cap. 311R requires the relevant contractor to adopt effective dust control measures.
Practical Solutions
  • Close the main door all the time. Cover plastic sheet on top and seal door gaps with wet towels
  • Enclose the renovation work area with tight partitions in commercial premises
  • Cement, sand, debris or other dusty materials stored outside the site should be covered up or kept moist
  • Spray water before breaking, grinding, sand papering or wood cutting operation
    Spay water before grinding.
    Spay water before grinding.
  • Fit vacuum cleaner to grinding, sand papering or wood cutting machines
    Use vacuum cleaner during grinding operations.
    Use vacuum cleaner during grinding operations.
    The grinding machine is attached to a vacuum cleaner for effective dust control during grinding operation.
    The grinding machine is attached to a vacuum cleaner for effective dust control during grinding operation.
  • Maintain good house-keeping and increase the cleaning frequency of the surrounding areas
 
   
Activities
Painting
Problem
Odour
Relevant Env. Control Under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, Cap. 311, any person causing the air nuisance to the atmosphere requires the adoption of air pollution abatement measures.
Practical Solutions
  • Only use windows for ventilation. Keep the main door closed and seal all gaps with plastic coverings or wet towels to avoid causing nuisance to the neighbour
    Use plastic sheets to cover all indoor entrances to the premises undergoing renovation works to minimize odour and dust emission.
    Use plastic sheets to cover all indoor entrances to the premises undergoing renovation works to minimize odour and dust emission.
  • Encourage the neighbour to cover the main door with plastic sheets or seal the door gaps with wet towels
  • Select low-volatile organic compound (VOC) or water-based paint (Details can be found in “A Simple Guide for Architects, Home Owners and Painters to Reduce Paint VOC Emission”)
  • Compare the product label on the VOC content and choose product without or with low VOC
  • Less glossy paints have lower VOC content
  • Store VOC-containing products in air-tight containers
  • Agree with neighbour on the use of VOC products in mutually acceptable hours
  • Use mechanical ventilation devices such as fan and blower
  • Use absorbent and filter