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Following is the transcript (English portion) of remarks made by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, at a media session on the Air Quality Objectives (AQO) Review Public Consultation today (July 23):
Reporter¡GHow to achieve the ultimate targets of WHO guidelines?
Secretary for the Environment¡GIn upgrading our air quality objectives, we are keenly conscious of benchmarking them against the WHO guidelines. Among the seven pollutants that we put forth in the new AQO, at least half, in our initial recommendation, would be able to benchmark against the highest WHO guidelines. For the remaining, we recommend a staged approach in taking things forward, but there¡¦s no lack of determination that we will ultimately benchmark ourselves against the highest standard.
Reporter¡GWhat¡¦s the aim of the Review?
Secretary for the Environment¡GIn our recommendation, we are basically aiming to tackle all the major pollutants, including sulphur dioxide, Nox (nitrogen oxides), carbon monoxide, and particulates. Obviously, different pollutants might face different challenges as they might be contributed by different sources, some of which are locally emitted, some of which might be across the boundary. Basically, what we are recommending is the most stringent and highest possible achieved standard in guiding us in taking forward our new AQO. I think basically, what the government will do is try to leave no stone unturned and try to benchmark against the highest possible standard.
Reporter¡GWhen to review the AQO?
Secretary for the Environment¡GWhat our recommendation in the consultation document other than the standard and the measures is to ask ourselves whether we should review this on a regular basis, for instance, every five years, so I think it¡¦s one of the questions we are going to ask the public, that besides setting a new guideline, to what extent are we are willing to keep it rolling, and review it on a regular basis.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Thursday, July 23, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:59
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