Plans for better indoor air call for annual checks

Offices, hotels and shopping malls will have to carry out an annual check on indoor air quality, if a government review finds a voluntary certification scheme now being used is ineffective, an environmental official said yesterday.

Permanent secretary for the environment, transport and works Anissa Wong Sean-yee said the review was launched in December after only a few companies joined the voluntary scheme since its launch in 2003.

Companies and agencies in the scheme, which includes government departments, must employ an examiner to check the air quality on their premises.

They also have to pay a service provider to undertake remedial action to achieve standards set by the government. They are awarded a certificate which is reviewed annually.

Department figures show 157 indoor premises have been awarded indoor air quality certificates this year, 43 more than last year. They include government departments, the headquarters of the WWF environmental group and the academic buildings of the Polytechnic University.

Speaking at a presentation ceremony yesterday, Ms Wong said the review would update the emission standards of indoor pollution sources, explore the possibility of covering more indoor premises, and look at the possibility of drafting new laws to control indoor air pollution.