AIR POLLUTION IN INDUSTRIAL ESTATES (Measures to reduce)

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Prime Minister whether the air pollution in industrial estates, such as the Jurong Town, and urban areas has reached the state of affecting the health of the residents of those areas and what steps have been or will be taken to reduce air pollution generally.

Mr Lim Kim San (for the Prime Minister): Mr Speaker, Sir, air pollution is being monitored daily by the Anti- Pollution Unit, and we find that the air pollution in industrial estates and the urban areas is normally higher than in the residential or rural areas. However, the pollution level is well within the level set by the World Health Organisation and at present it does not pose a danger to our health.

The main sources of air pollution are emissions from industrial premises and motor vehicles and there are existing measures to check air pollution. The Anti-Pollution Unit conducts regular tests on the emissions from factories to check for compliance with existing regulations. Some factories are required to instal anti-pollution equipment. The Registry of Vehicles periodically inspects goods and public service vehicles to ensure that their engines do not emit pollutants excessively.