Replies to Questions from Finance Committee Members

Head : 44 Environmental Protection
Department
Programme : (3) Noise
Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2003-04 Reply Serial No.
CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO
INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION
ETWB(E)053
Subhead(No. & title): 700
General other non-recurrent
Controlling Officer : Director of Environmental Protection
Director of Bureau : Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works
Question Serial No.
Question : Would the Government inform this Council: What are the purpose, scope and method of the study
to evaluate the adverse impact of environmental noise on public health in Hong Kong? When will
the study be completed?
Asked by : Hon. LEE Chu-ming, Martin
Reply : The study will look into any adverse health effect due to environmental noise in Hong Kong.
It will involve experts in acoustics and medical science to collect and analyse local data to
identify any environmental noise induced effects such as annoyance and other effects on
people. In view of its complexity, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) will
adopt a step-by-step approach and divide the study into phases, with the first phase to
appraise the noise environment of Hong Kong.
Gototop
0533
The EPD plans to invite tender for the phase one study in mid 2003 and the whole study is
expected to be completed in two years.
Signature
Name in block letters ROBERT J. S. LAW
Post Title Director of Environmental Protection
Date 20 March 2003