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Environmental, Health and Safety Report 2003 / 04 Our Vision for Sustainable Housing  | Message from the Chairman  | Message from the Director |  Summary | Feedback Form About this Report  | Business Overview & EHS Management Structure  | Significant EHS Aspects  |  2003 / 04 Highlights  | Performance Review  | Targets and Initiatives for 2004 / 05 and Beyond  |  Verification Statement  | Annexes

Performance Review Please select: Overview Health and Hygiene Waste Water Energy Air Noise EHS procurement Material Consumption Hazardous Materials Estate Landscaping and Greening Safety Partnerships and Awareness Initiatives at Our Own Office Air [Photo: We guide the quality of air we breathe for the good health of our workers and our residents.] Controlling Air Pollution in Construction and Demolition Minimizing Ozone Layer Destruction Controlling Odour and Exhausts in Our Estates Enhancing Indoor Air Quality Controlling Air Pollution in Construction and Demolition [Photo: Wheel-washing bay at a construction site.] It is a standard practice in our construction and demolition contracts to require our engineering contractors implement all practicable means to avoid or otherwise control dust and exhaust emissions from construction vehicles. We specify air pollution control requirements in our contract specifications and we follow this up with assessment methods such as the Performance Assessment Scoring System that are applied to all building contracts. Minimizing Ozone Layer Destruction Ozone is a gas that protects the earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and so helps to protect us from skin cancer and other illnesses. The existence of the ozone-hole in our atmosphere has therefore made society aware of the impact of ozone depleting compounds such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs have in the past been used in aerosols and as cooling agents in refrigeration systems, chillers and air conditioners. To play an active role in protecting our world, the Housing Authority has banned the use of ozone-depleting refrigerants in all of our central air conditioning systems and retrofitted / replaced all affected chillers with CFC-free refrigerants. Controlling Odour and Exhausts in Our Estates [Photo: Deodorization system on top of roof of market.] Odour can be a nuisance at our wet markets and refuse collection points. To deal with the odour problem, over the past few years we have completed a number of air quality enhancement initiatives. These include testing the effectiveness of various deodorization systems, installation of over 50 biotechnology equipment items at refuse collection points and 150 packaged deodourizers in the refuse rooms of our public housing estates. Following the success of these initiatives, we shall introduce more of these installations into our refuse management facilities. Enhancing Indoor Air Quality [Photo: Gas Desiccant Dehumidification System.] Maintaining good indoor air quality is important if we are to maintain good health. Following the outbreak of SARS last year, we began to increase the fresh air intake rates in our shopping centres to improve the indoor air quality. During the year 2003 / 04 we extended our efforts by:   Launching of a trial scheme for use of Gas Desiccant Dehumidification System equipped with air-conditioning in wet markets to maintain a level of humidity that limits bacterial growth; and   Installation of ultra-violet radiation lighting in wet markets to aid the disinfection of airborne bacteria. top

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