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Letter to the Editor of the South China Morning Post dated 25 October 2004 - Air Pollution
I would like to respond to some recent letters to your paper on air pollution.
Questions were raised on whether the air pollution is caused by local cars, buses and power stations, or emissions across the border. The answer is both, as confirmed by a technical study completed jointly with Guangdong, by air quality data, and by satellite-based pictures over Hong Kong and the region.
One of your readers criticized us for not using satellite image technology in assessing regional air pollution. But we do actually use such images, and the SCMP has recently published such examples on 1 March 2004.
To control local motor vehicles, we adopt tight fuel and vehicle emission standards, take on clean alternatives to diesel, control diesel emissions with traps, strengthen emission inspections, enforce vigorously against smoky vehicles, and promote vehicle maintenance and eco-driving habits.
We also seek to reduce bus stops, and deploy only clean buses on busy corridors. All newly registered buses must comply with the same stringent emission standards as in the European Union. Pre-Euro or Euro I buses are retrofitted with diesel oxidation catalysts.
Another of your readers challenged a particulates removal efficiency of 30% being too low. But the choice of a certain device, and the best removal such device can achieve, depends on the manufacturing and design of the individual types of vehicles concerned.
An international panel has helped EPD make this choice. Led by a renowned expert who has served as adviser to bodies such as the World Bank, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the California Air Resources Board, the panel with local experts has also taken into account the results of trials done together with the transport trades in their recommendation.
With the control measures, emissions of particulate matters and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from vehicles in 2003 had dropped by 67% and 29% respectively from 1999 levels, and their corresponding roadside concentrations dropped by 13% and 23%. The number of smoky vehicles also dropped by over 70%.
Apart from vehicles, local power stations are also significant emitters (emitting 89% of total sulphur dioxide in 2002) and contributing to both local and regional air pollution. EPD vigorously enforces licensing control over power stations, and requirements are set according to the best practicable means that can reduce emissions to a minimum. Recently, each power company has submitted its financial plan for 2005-2008, which includes proposed measures for reducing emissions. EPD will assess their proposed measures in consideration of the consensus reached between Hong Kong and Guangdong to improve regional air quality, and incorporate new practicable measures in the licensing control as necessary.
We also have a continuous programme to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions, from motor vehicles, petrol filling stations, and dry-cleaning operations. And measures are in the pipeline to control VOC emissions from paints, printing inks and selected consumer products.
By implementing all the control measures to cut local emissions, Hong Kong aims to, by year 2010, meet the reduction targets of 40%, 20%, 55% and 55% respectively for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, respirable suspended particulates and VOC respectively from 1999 levels.
Guangdong also aims to achieve these targets - a consensus reached in 2002 between the HKSAR Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government. The two governments subsequently drew up a joint Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Management Plan and set up a special panel to oversee implementation. Achieving the targets will significantly improve the air quality and reduce smog in the region.
A joint regional air quality monitoring network will be completed this year, and is expected to be in full operation mid next year, to provide comprehensive and accurate air quality data for assessing emission levels and the progress of emission reduction tasks.
Both Hong Kong and Guangdong are facing major challenges ahead in achieving the reduction targets. There will be a couple of years before the control measures to take effects and then we will see air quality improving. Meanwhile, there should be no distractions and the real efforts must be in implementing measures that can effectively cut down emissions, whether it is to meet Hong Kong’s air quality objectives, the national air quality standards, or some other standards of the international authorities.
Dr Mike Chiu
Deputy Director of Environmental Protection
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