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Following is a question by the Hon Audrey Eu and a reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, in the Legislative Council meeting today (January 24) :
Question:
It is learnt that members of the public spend more than 70% of their time in indoor environment and good indoor air quality (IAQ) can safeguard the health of people in such environment. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council :
(a) whether it has evaluated the effectiveness of the IAQ Certification Scheme for Offices and Public Places (including the number of buildings awarded with an IAQ certificate in each of the past three years and its percentage in the total number of buildings in Hong Kong); if it has, of the findings of the evaluation; and
(b) whether it has reviewed if it should require premises with poorer IAQ, such as clinics and temples, to carry out regular assessment to safeguard the health of people in such premises; if it has, of the details of the review; if not, the reasons for that ?
Reply:
Madam President,
Before replying to the Honourable Andrey EU's question, allow me to explain the Government's policy and measures for improving indoor air quality (IAQ).
As the community is attaching more importance to environmental quality management, IAQ has become an issue of public concern. At present, there is no internationally recognized IAQ standard. While individual cities have set certain voluntary IAQ standards, they do not enforce these standards for IAQ management through legislation.
Factors affecting IAQ are complex. For instance, the use of wooden furniture containing additives with formaldehyde may increase the concentration of formaldehyde. The use of correction fluids, perfumes or other deodorants may increase the concentration of volatile organic compounds. The use of photocopiers or laser printers may increase the concentration of ozone and volatile organic compounds in indoor air. Therefore, the Government believes that improving IAQ must start with enhancing public awareness. Since 2001, the Government has been taking various educational and promotional measures, which include :
(a) setting up an IAQ Information Centre to distribute reference materials on IAQ;
(b) adopting a set of IAQ objectives as the criteria for evaluating IAQ;
(c) formulating a set of guidelines for improving IAQ management of offices and public places;
(d) promoting the voluntary IAQ certification scheme and inviting owners and management agents of premises (including government buildings) to participate in the scheme; and
(e) drawing up a professional practice note applicable to IAQ of public transport facilities.
Madam President, the IAQ Certification Scheme for Offices and Public Places (or the Scheme as below) mentioned by the Honourable Audrey EU is a voluntary scheme introduced by the Government in September 2003. The Scheme aims to promote and recognize good IAQ management. The number of participants of the Scheme has been rising steadily since it was launched more than three years ago. The number of IAQ certificates awarded by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has increased from 86 at the end of 2004 to 107 and 131 at the end of 2005 and 2006 respectively.
When the Scheme was launched in September 2003, the EPD had already committed to reviewing the effectiveness of the entire IAQ management plan after the Scheme was implemented for sometime, and examining the need for formulating further regulatory measures on IAQ objectives. Hence, the EPD commissioned a consultant to conduct a review at the end of 2006. The scope of review covers the effectiveness of the Scheme, the need for amending the current IAQ objectives, ways to enhance publicity strategy, and the feasibility of expanding the Scheme. It is expected that the consultancy study will complete in 12 months. Subject to the findings of the review, we will consult the public on any specific recommendations.
We do not have the total number of offices and public places for the whole of Hong Kong. Nevertheless, premises voluntarily participating in the Scheme still only account for a relatively small proportion of the large number of offices and public places in the territory. The Government will continue to deepen community's awareness of IAQ by reinforcing publicity work, in order to encourage more people to participate in the Scheme.
Ends/Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:31
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