Progress of cleaning up palm stearin

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The Government today (August 18) continued to clean up the palm stearin on the sea surface and at the beaches, and the cleanup work is mostly completed.

     From the inspections conducted today, gradual improvement in the situation was observed. The oil content of water samples collected from the beaches concerned remained at a low level. Having considered factors such as water quality and cleanup progress, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced this afternoon the reopening of Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Lo So Shing Beach in Islands District. In other words, all thirteen beaches which were temporarily closed earlier after palm stearin was found have been reopened. While the LCSD will continue to conduct routine cleanup in these beaches, there might still be trace amounts of palm stearin pellets remaining in the sand. The LCSD reminded swimmers to stay alert when using the reopened beaches, not to play with or take in palm stearin, and to rinse their feet before entering changing rooms to prevent surfaces becoming slippery with palm stearin.

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has not found any mariculturists being affected by the incident so far. No palm stearin was found at fish culture zones or in their vicinity today. The AFCD and relevant departments will maintain their cleanup efforts so as to remove palm stearin possibly remaining at the sites concerned. The AFCD will continue to monitor the impact on the fishing industry and the marine environment, especially in waters with important ecological value.

     The Marine Department (MD), the LCSD, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the AFCD and the Environmental Protection Department deployed around 120 staff members in total for conducting inspections and cleanup today to tackle the palm stearin leakage incident. As at noon today, the government departments had collected some 212 tonnes (i.e. 212 000 kilograms) of palm stearin recovered on the sea surface and at the beaches.

     In addition, the MD is now discussing and following up on the monetary claims incurred from the cleanup of the palm stearin with the Department of Justice. All relevant government departments will continue to collaborate, closely monitor the incident and take immediate actions when required. The government will also continue to arrange the relevant organisations to immediately collect the remaining recyclable palm stearin recovered and turn it into biodiesel or other recycled commodities the soonest possible to minimise the impact on the environmental hygiene problems and the burden on landfills as far as practicable.

Ends/Friday, August 18, 2017
Issued at HKT 21:25

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