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Chemical factory 'too dangerous'

Agnes Lam

Tsing Yi residents have demanded closure of a chemical factory after the Government revealed it did not know why dioxin emissions double the permitted safety level had been released.

Tsing Yi Chemical Treatment Centre was closed for maintenance last November when high levels of the carcinogenic substance were detected in gas emissions, Kwai Tsing Provisional District Board was told yesterday.

'We are still investigating,' said Raymond Leung Pak-ming, principal environmental protection officer.

Another incident of dioxin emissions exceeding safety limits recorded in February was caused by a technician who failed to ensure that activated carbon was used to dilute the pollution before release.

Neither incident had been made public at the time.

The Environmental Protection Department sets a control limit of 0.1 nanogrammes per cubic metre for dioxin release through the centre's chimney. In November, the reading was 0.2142 ng/cubic metre and in February it reached 0.4495 ng/cubic metre.

But residents were concerned over a lack of thorough and effective monitoring to catch all leaks.

'The chemical treatment centre should be closed until there is an effective monitoring system. The centre poses a threat to all residents,' said Democrat Yiu Cheuk-wah, who chairs the Tsing Yi Action Group.

'We may take further action like stopping cars from going to the centre.' Chan Wai-man, a member of the Mayfair Garden owners' committee, said residents feared other possible harmful elements might be released by the centre.

'The Government should at least set up an air-quality monitor at Cheung Ching Estate, but we would prefer the centre to be shut down,' he said.

But Mr Leung said that although the releases might have exceeded the safety level, they were too insignificant to cause harm to residents' health.

Asked about the setting up of more air-quality monitors, he said it was the responsibility of the contractor.

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