DUST AND SOOT SITUATION IN SEMBAWANG NEW TOWN (Update)

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DUST AND SOOT SITUATION IN SEMBAWANG NEW TOWN:

(Update):

. Dr Warren Lee asked the Minister for the Environment (a) if he will give an update on the dust and soot situation affecting residents of Sembawang New Town in the vicinity of Sembawang

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Shipyard; (b) whether the National Environment Agency's monitoring efforts have led to any conclusion about the health risks arising from such airborne dust and pollutants; and (c) can something be done to reduce the level of such soot and dust.

The Minister for the Environment (Mr Lim Swee Say): Mr Speaker, Sir, in the past few months, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has received several complaints from some residents living in Sembawang New Town in the vicinity of Admiralty Link about black dust deposited in their flats.

Investigation conducted by NEA showed that the black dust is generated by grit blasting of ships at Sembawang Shipyard and the dust is carried towards the HDB flats by the north-easterly wind during the north-east monsoon from October to March. The black dust comprises mainly iron and copper particles, and is no more harmful than other particles in the air if present in small quantities.

NEA had monitored the dust level in the air at the HDB blocks in Admiralty Link and found it to be within international standards. The dust level there therefore does not pose a health risk to the residents. NEA conveyed these findings to the grassroots adviser and leaders in March this year.

The black dust, however, posed a nuisance to the residents. Hence, Sembawang Shipyard has on its part taken measures to reduce dust emissions from its operations. Sembawang Shipyard has installed a water curtain system to wash down dust emissions during blasting of ships. It has also installed a strong suction system to remove dust deposited on the ground of the blasting area. These measures have helped to reduce the level of dust in the air blown to the surrounding area.

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Sembawang Shipyard has also installed two air samplers at the boundary of its premises to monitor dust emission from its blasting operations. This has enabled the shipyard to take prompt actions in the event that dust emission exceeds the acceptable level.

Sir, in short, I would like to assure Dr Warren Lee that the dust level in the air in Admiralty Link is within international standards and it does not pose a health risk to the residents there.

Dr Warren Lee (Sembawang): Sir, I thank the Minister for the Environment for a clear explanation on the measures taken to reduce the dust problem. However, my residents have also pointed out that one problem is from the engine emissions of ships in the shipyard. Would the Minister care to comment?

Mr Lim Swee Say: Sir, from the investigation conducted by the NEA, the black dust referred to by the residents is the size of about 40 microns; we call this PM40. These particles are relatively big and heavy. They are not likely to be emitted by the engines. But I thank Dr Warren Lee for his feedback. I will ask NEA to look into this further even though I do not think that this big and heavy black dust comes from engine emissions.