3.1
In accordance with the
Updated EM&A Manual, impact 1-hour TSP and 24-hr TSP monitoring shall be conducted to monitor the air quality for the
Works Contracts. Appendix B shows
the established Action/Limit Level for the air quality monitoring works.
3.2
Impact 1-hour TSP
monitoring was conducted for at least three times every 6 days, while the
impact 24-hour TSP monitoring was conducted for at least once every 6 days at the designated air quality monitoring
stations.
3.3
Impact air quality
monitoring was conducted at the monitoring stations under the Works Contracts,
as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 according
to Table 1.1 of Updated EM&A Manual and Baseline Air Quality Monitoring
Report (KTN & FLN NDA).
Alternative Monitoring
Station for KTN-DMS4
3.4
As KTN-DMS4 -
Temporary structure near Fanling Highway (near Pak
Shek Au) is no longer as existing ASR, air quality monitoring station should be
relocated to the alternative dust monitoring location according to the updated
EM&A Manual, Section 2.6.2. According to Figure 3.1 of Approved EIA report
and site visits conducted in June 2022, ASR at near KTN-E70 ¡V Temporary
Structure near Fanling Highway near Pak Shek Au is
considered as the most representative alternative station KTN-DMS4(B) for air quality monitoring for KTN-DMS4 (i.e. KTNE162).
3.5
The alternative
monitoring location KTN-DMS4(B) is
agreed by EPD on 17 August 2022. The 1-hr and 24-hrs TSP monitoring commenced
starting from 24 August 2022. Table 3.1 describes the location of the
air quality monitoring stations.
Table 3.1 Location
for Air Quality Monitoring Locations
EP No. |
Contract No. |
Monitoring Station |
Location |
EP-473/2013/A |
ND/2019/03 |
FLN-DMS1[2] |
Scattered Village Houses North of Proposed Potential Ecopark |
ND/2019/04 |
|||
ND/2019/05 |
FLN-DMS3[3] |
House near Tong Hang |
|
ND/2019/03 |
FLN-DMS5[4] FLN-DMS5A |
Noble Hill Good View New Village |
|
ND/2019/04 |
|||
EP-466/2013/A EP-467/2013/A EP-468/2013/A |
ND/2019/01 |
KTN-DMS4(B)[5] |
Temporary Structure near Fanling Highway
(near Pak Shek Au) |
EP-468/2013/A |
ND/2019/03 |
Remarks:
[1]: Noting that
construction phase air quality monitoring at the other proposed monitoring
stations (e.g. planned), where access is permitted, will be conducted during construction
phase of relevant works contract(s).
[2]: Since the distance between
monitoring station and site boundary of ND/2019/05 under EP-473/2013/A exceeds
500m, the monitoring station is
not applicable to ND/2019/05.
[3]: Since the distance
between monitoring station and site boundary of ND/2019/03 and ND/2019/04 under
EP-473/2013/A exceeds 500m, the monitoring station is
not applicable to ND/2019/03 and ND/2019/04.
[4]: Since the distance
between monitoring station and site boundary of ND/2019/05 under EP-473/2013/A
exceeds 500m, the monitoring station is
not applicable to ND/2019/05
[5] KTN-DMS4(B) commenced
starting from 24 August 2022 as an alternative monitoring station of KTN-DMS4.
3.6
As the power supply
for High Volume Sampler (HVS) for TSP monitoring at FLN-DMS 5A, KTN-DMS 4 and KTN-DMS
4(B) were rejected, direct reading dust meter was used to measure both 1-hour
and 24-hour TSP levels:-
The proposal for alternative monitoring
equipment (i.e. direct reading dust meter) for TSP monitoring was approved by
EPD according to the approved Baseline Air
Quality Monitoring Report (KTN & FLN NDA); and
Same measurement
methodology (i.e. direct reading dust meter) was adopted as baseline monitoring
for a reliable comparison.
3.7
The proposed use of
portable direct reading dust meters was also submitted to IEC and agreement was obtained from the IEC in accordance with Section 2.4.5 of the
Updated EM&A Manual.
3.8
HVS for 24-hour TSP monitoring will be adopted once secured
supply of electricity become available at FLN-DMS 5A and KTN-DMS 4(B).
3.9
Table 3.2 summarises the equipment used in the impact air
monitoring programme. Copies of calibration certificates are attached in Appendix C.
Table 3.2 Air
Quality Monitoring Equipment
Monitoring Station |
Equipment |
Manufacturer |
Model and Make |
Quantity |
FLN-DMS5 FLN-DMS5A KTN-DMS4(B) |
Dust Monitor (1-hour and 24-hour TSP) |
Met One Instruments |
AEROCET-831 |
7 |
FLN-DMS1 FLN-DMS3 |
Dust Monitor (1-hour TSP) |
|||
HVS Sampler (TSP) (24-hour TSP) |
Tisch |
TISCH Model: TE-5170 |
2 |
3.10
Meteorological
information extracted from ¡§Hong Kong Observatory - Ta Kwu
Ling Weather Station¡¨ was proposed as the alternative method to obtain
representative wind data. For Ta Kwu Ling Weather
Station, it is located nearby the Project site and situated at approximately
15m above mean sea level. The station¡¦s wind data monitoring equipment is set
above the existing ground 10 meters in compliance
with the general setting up requirements. Furthermore, this station also provides
other meteorological information, such as humidity, rainfall, air pressure and
temperature etc.
3.11 The general weather conditions (i.e. sunny,
cloudy or rainy) were recorded by the field staffs during the monitoring days.
Monitoring Parameters,
Frequency and Duration
3.12 Table 3.3 summarises the monitoring parameters and frequencies
of impact dust monitoring during the Works Contracts activities. The air
quality monitoring schedule for the reporting month is shown in Appendix D.
Table 3.3 Impact
Dust Monitoring Parameters, Frequency and Duration
Parameters |
Frequency |
1-hour TSP |
Three times/ 6 days |
24-hour TSP |
Once / 6 days |
Monitoring Methodology and
QA/QC Procedure
1-hour and 24-hour TSP Air
Quality Monitoring
Instrumentation
3.13 Direct
reading dust meter was deployed for the air quality monitoring as shown in Table 3.2.
3.14 The
measuring procedures of the dust meters were in accordance with the
Manufacturer¡¦s Instruction Manual as follows:
(AEROCET-831)
•
Place the 1-hour dust meter at least 1.3 meters above ground.
•
Press and hold the Power key momentarily to power on
the unit and make sure that the battery level was not flash or in low level.
•
Allow the instrument to stand for about 3 second to
display the Sample Screen minutes.
•
Press the START / STOP key to run the internal vacuum
pump for 1 minute and be ready to use.
•
Use the select dial to select the PM range and press
the START / STOP key to start a measurement.
•
Finally, push the START/STOP key to stop the measurement
after 1 hour sampling.
•
Information such as sampling date, time, value and
site condition were recorded during the monitoring period.
•
All data were recorded in the data logger for further
data processing.
Maintenance/Calibration
3.15
The following maintenance/calibration was required for the direct
dust meters:
•
Check and calibrate the meters by HVS to check the
validity and accuracy of the results measured by direct reading method at
2-month intervals throughout all stages of the air quality monitoring.
24-hour TSP Air Quality
Monitoring
Instrumentation
(TISCH Model: TE-5170)
3.16
High volume Samplers (HVS) completed with appropriate
sampling inlets were employed for 24-hour TSP monitoring. Each sampler was composed of a motor, a
filter holder, a flow controller and a sampling inlet and its performance
specification complies with that required by USEPA Standard Title 40, Code of
Federation Regulations Chapter 1 (Part 50).
HVS
Installation
3.17
The following guidelines were adopted during the
installation of HVS:
•
A horizontal platform with appropriate support was
provided to secure the samplers against gusty wind.
•
No two samplers were placed less than 2 meters apart.
•
The distance between the sampler and an obstacle, such
as buildings, was at least twice the height that the obstacle protrudes above
the sampler.
•
A minimum of 2 meters of separation from walls,
parapets and penthouses was required for rooftop samples.
•
A minimum of 2 meters separation from any supporting
structure, measured horizontally was required.
•
No furnaces or incineration flues were nearby.
•
Airflow around the sampler was unrestricted.
•
The samplers were more than 20 meters from the drip
line.
•
Any wire fence and gate, to protect the sampler,
should not cause any obstruction during monitoring.
•
Permission and access to the monitoring stations have
been obtained to set up the samplers.
•
A secured supply of electricity was provided to
operate the samplers.
Filters
Preparation
3.18 Wellab Limited (HOKLAS Registration No. HOKLAS083) is a HOKLAS
accredited laboratory and responsible for the preparation of 24-hour
conditioned and pre-weighed filter papers for the monitoring team.
3.19 All
filters were equilibrated in the conditioning environment for 24 hours before
weighing. The conditioning
environment temperature was around 25¢XC and not variable by more than ¡Ó3¢XC; the
relative humidity (RH) was < 50% and not variable by more than ¡Ó5%. A convenient working RH was 40%.
Operating/Analytical
Procedures
3.20
Operating/analytical procedures for the air quality
monitoring were highlighted as follows:
•
Prior to the commencement of dust sampling, the flow
rate of the HVS was properly set (between 1.1 m3/min. and 1.4 m3/min.)
in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction to within the range recommended
in USEPA Standard Title 40, CFR Part 50;
•
The power supply was checked to ensure the sampler
worked properly;
•
On sampling, the sampler was operated for 5 minutes to
establish thermal equilibrium before placing any filter media at the designated
air quality monitoring station;
•
The filter holding frame was then removed by loosening
the four nuts and carefully a weighted and conditioned filter was centered with the stamped number upwards, on a supporting
screen;
•
The filter was aligned on the screen so that the
gasket formed an airtight seal on the outer edges of the filter. The filter holding frame was then tightened
to the filter holder with swing bolts.
The applied pressure should be sufficient to avoid air leakage at the
edges;
•
The shelter lid was closed and secured with the aluminum strip;
•
The timer was then programmed. Information was recorded on the record
sheet, which included the starting time, the weather condition and the filter
number (the initial weight of the filter paper can be found out by using the
filter number);
•
After sampling, the filter was removed and kept in a
clean and tightly sealed plastic bag. The filter paper was then returned to the
HOKLAS accredited laboratory (Wellab Ltd.) for
reconditioning in the humidity-controlled chamber followed by accurate
weighting by an electronic balance with a readout down to 0.1mg. The elapsed
time was also recorded; and
•
Before weighing, all filters were equilibrated in a
conditioning environment for 24 hours. The conditioning environment temperature
should be between 25¢XC and
Maintenance/Calibration
3.21 The
following maintenance/calibration was required for the HVS:
•
The high volume motors and
their accessories were properly maintained. Appropriate maintenance such as
routine motor brushes replacement and electrical wiring checking were made to
ensure that the equipment and necessary power supply are in good working
conditions; and
•
All HVS were calibrated (five point
calibration) using Calibration Kit prior to the commencement of baseline
monitoring and thereafter at bi-monthly intervals.
3.22
The monitoring results for 1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP
are summarised in Tables 3.4 and 3.5 respectively. Detailed
monitoring results and graphical presentations of 1-hour and 24-hour TSP
monitoring results are shown in Appendix
E.
Table 3.4 Summary
Table of 1-hour TSP Monitoring Results during the
Reporting Month
Monitoring Station |
Concentration (µg/m3) |
Action Level, µg/m3 |
Limit Level, µg/m3 |
|
Average |
Range |
|||
FLN-DMS1 |
97.0 |
53.0 ¡V 176.5 |
303 |
500 |
FLN-DMS3 |
99.4 |
41.0 ¡V 181.7 |
301 |
500 |
FLN-DMS5 |
93.3 |
26.2 ¡V 139.0 |
279 |
500 |
KTN-DMS4(B) |
102.9 |
30.6 ¡V 176.8 |
297 |
500 |
Table 3.5 Summary
Table of 24-hour TSP Monitoring Results during the
Reporting
Month
Monitoring Station |
Concentration (µg/m3) |
Action Level, µg/m3 |
Limit Level, µg/m3 |
|
Average |
Range |
|||
FLN-DMS1 |
99.0 |
84.3 ¡V 116.1 |
150 |
260 |
FLN-DMS3 |
62.4 |
34.7 ¡V 91.1 |
165 |
260 |
FLN-DMS5A |
91.6 |
48.7 ¡V 130.2 |
153 |
260 |
KTN-DMS4(B) |
103.3 |
40.2 ¡V 156.9 |
192 |
260 |
3.23 All 1-hour
and 24-hour TSP monitoring was conducted as scheduled in the reporting month. No
Action/Limit Level exceedances were recorded.
3.24
According to our field observations, the major dust
sources identified at the designated air quality monitoring stations in the
reporting month are shown in Table 3.6:
Table 3.6 Observation at Dust
Monitoring Stations
Monitoring Station |
Major Dust Sources |
FLN DMS1 |
Excavator, Dump truck, Crane,
Roller |
FLN-DMS3 |
Excavator, Crane, Electric
Hand Drill, Electric Saw |
FLN-DMS5 |
Excavator, Dump truck, Crane,
Lorry, Breaker |
KTN-DMS4(B) |
Excavator, Crane, Roller,
Sheet Piling, Dump truck, Concrete Mixer Truck |
3.25 Should any
non-compliance of the criteria occur, actions in accordance with the Event/Action
Plan in Appendix N shall be carried
out.