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Following is a question by Hon LI Fung-ying and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, in the Legislative Council today (June 17):
Question:
It has been reported that formaldehyde and other types of volatile organic compounds ("VOCs") emitted from newly made wooden furniture and products are detrimental to human health, including an increased chance of developing cancer. Yet, in the absence of prescribed permissible levels of concentration and emission of formaldehyde from newly made wooden furniture and products in the existing legislation, members of the public and workers who manufacture/assemble furniture are therefore not protected. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) it has assessed the hazards on human health of inhaling formaldehyde and VOCs in high concentration over a long time; if it has, of the assessment results;
(b) it will regulate the concentration and emission of formaldehyde from household products (especially for newly made wooden furniture); if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(c) it will regulate the import of newly made wooden furniture and products which have or emit high level of formaldehyde and VOCs; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(d) it will stipulate that the sale of newly made wooden furniture and products shall be accompanied by a description of the concentration of formaldehyde and VOCs, so as to alert members of the public and workers who manufacture/assemble furniture about the relevant risks; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(e) it will draw up the relevant work safety guidelines on manufacturing /assembling newly made wooden furniture; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
(a) Formaldehyde is a colourless gas with a pungent odour at high concentrations. According to USEPA, people exposed to formaldehyde at level exceeding 0.1 parts per million might experience discomfort in eyes and throat, and difficulty in breathing. Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde may trigger hypersensitivity and asthma. High concentrations of formaldehyde may also cause cancer.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are a diverse group of organic compounds that evaporate at room temperature. In a typical indoor environment, there are more than 100 VOC compounds, including formaldehyde. The VOC can be emitted from various sources such as construction materials, furnishings, cosmetics, cleansing agents, pesticides, and tobacco smoke, but not all of the VOC are harmful to human health. The academia has conducted relatively more studies on the more toxic VOC, such as benzene and formaldehyde. Prolonged exposure to VOC in general may cause discomfort in eyes, nose and throat, headache and dizziness, some VOC can result in the depression of the central nervous system and may cause cancer.
(b)& (c) To better understand whether wooden furniture and other furnishings products are an indoor air pollution source, we have commissioned a consultancy study to collate information on the emission standards or guidelines of other countries on furnishings materials. The study will also look into the supply of furnishings materials meeting these standards or guidelines in Hong Kong. Based on the information and practicable options provided by the consultant, we will look into appropriate measures to prevent the import of new wooden furnishings and other wooden products with excessive emission of formaldehyde and VOC.
As VOC play a significant role in the formation of smog in the atmosphere, we have implemented the 《Air Pollution Control (Volatile Organic Compounds) Regulation》 in phases starting from April 1, 2007, to prohibit importation or local manufacture of architectural paints/coatings, printing inks and selected consumer products (including air refreshener, hair spray, multi-purpose lubricant, floor wax stripper, insecticide and aerosol insect repellent) which exceed the prescribed VOC content limits for local use and sale. We also published in the Gazette on May 22, 2009 that the regulation will be extended to vehicle refinishing paints, vessel paints, pleasure craft paints, adhesives and sealants.
(d) We understand that labelling the formaldehyde and VOC content on new wooden furniture and wooden products will help enhance consumers' awareness of the concerned risk. The aforementioned consultant will consider all possible options and come up with the most effective recommendations. After receipt of the recommendations of the consultant, we will develop suitable and effective measures to reduce the risk of public exposure to indoor formaldehyde and VOC.
According to the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Chapter 59), the proprietor has the duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all workers employed by him at his industrial undertaking. This includes the provision of the necessary information, instruction, training and supervision to the workers. In accordance with the existing requirements, therefore, if furniture assembling workers may be exposed to formaldehyde and VOC emitted from wooden furniture or products in carrying out related work processes, their employers should provide them with relevant information on the risk to protect their safety and health at work.
(e) The Labour Department has compiled a number of publication to remind employers to take appropriate control measures to protect workers from inhaling air impurities in the workplace, including formaldehyde and VOC. For example, the pamphlet on "Air Impurities in the Workplace" explains the sources of air impurities in different workplaces, health hazards caused by the impurities, and how employers should protect the health of workers through assessment of the risk, implementation of suitable control measures and use of personal protective equipment. This pamphlet also mentions that VOC may be emitted from furniture and recommends relevant control measures, such as the use of less hazardous materials and ventilation systems to reduce the risk, thus providing practical guidance for employers and workers engaged in manufacturing and assembling furniture.
In addition, employers and workers engaged in manufacturing and assembling furniture may also refer to other related publication produced by the Labour Department, such as the "Code of Practice on Control of Air Impurities (Chemical Substances) in the Workplace", "The Protection of Workers' Health Series – Control of Toxic Substances in the Workplace", "Air Monitoring in the Workplace", and "Guidance Notes on Ventilation and Maintenance of Ventilation Systems", etc to further understand the hygiene standards, risk assessment method and relevant control measures related to formaldehyde and other organic compounds.
Ends/Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:14
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