Major Environmental Problems

Land Solid Waste

Contamination Disposal Water Pollution

Noise and Air Pollution Control Noise Pollution Air Pollution

Professor Irene M. C. Lo, PhD, FHKIE, FASCE

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Environmental Noise in Hong Kong Audible Range

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Source: Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department 4
 Pressure vs. Power Range of Sound Pressure Levels

What is the relationship

between sound pressure (p)
5
and sound pressure level (Lp)? 6

Sound Pressure (p) and

Sound Pressure Level (Lp)? How does Noise Affect Our Living?

Receiver 2

Receiver 1

Does receiver 1 or receiver 2

get higher noise level?
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Transmission of Noise
Receiver 2
Receiver 1

Source
和富花園
r

dB at receiver Distance between 東區走廊

Lp ≅ Lw − 20 log r − 11
dB at source
dB at receiver 2
r receiver 2 and source
Lp 2 ≅ Lp1 − 20 log 2
r1
dB at receiver 1
receiver and source
Distance between
The East Corridor is located at a height of ~6 floors.
So you buy a flat at 1/F receiving the same noise level as
Distance between 11/F. Similarly, the noise level at 2/F. is same as 10/F.
receiver 1 and source
Which floor receives the highest noise level?
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How to calculate the combining sound levels?

Sound levels (in dB(A)) are not additive because of
Effect of Noise on Humans
their logarithmic nature:
• Auditory effects
⎡ n ⎛ Li ⎞ ⎤
Lcom = 10 log ⎢∑ ⎜⎜1010 ⎟⎟⎥ 9 Hearing loss (impairment)
⎢⎣ i =1 ⎝ ⎠⎥⎦ ƒ Damage of eardrum (normally temporary)
ƒ Damage of hair cells (temporary or permanent) and
Find out the sound level from 3 sources: resulting threshold shift.
68 dB, 75 dB & 79 dB 9 Speech interference (masking)

• Psychological/sociological effects
9 Annoyance
9 Sleep interference
9 Lower work/study performance
9 Anxiety

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 Engineering Solutions to Major Environmental Problems
Noise Reduction Land
Contamination
Solid Waste
Disposal Water Pollution
• Separate the sources of noise from noise receivers.
9Screening by natural landscape (such as earth bunds)
9Using acoustic‐insulated materials in commercial blocks
or office buildings
9Building a podium decking purposely
Noise Pollution Air Pollution

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Air Pollution in Hong Kong Air Quality Health Index

• The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to replace the Air
Pollution Index (API) from 30 December 2013.
• The AQHIs are reported on a scale of 1 to 10 and 10+
and are grouped into five health risk categories.
• AQHIs are calculated based on the cumulative health
risk attributable to the 3‐hour moving average
concentrations of four air pollutants namely, ozone
(O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and
particulate matter (PM2.5 / PM10).

What are the typical

air pollutants (outdoor)?
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 • Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
9 products of combustion
9 important in acid rain formation. Indoor Air Quality
9 irritant to respiratory system.
• Sources:
9 Attached garages;
• Sulfur oxides (SOx)
9 products of coal or fuel combustion 9 New carpets and
furniture;
9 irritant to throats
9 toxic to human 9 Paint;
9 important in acid rain formation. 9Chemical storage.

• Ozone (O3) • Pollutants:

9 very powerful oxidant 9 Radon;
9 irritant to lungs, eyes, vegetation. 9 Asbestos;
9 Tobacco smoke;
• Particulate matter (PM2.5 / PM10) 9 Solvents;
9 Lung damage, respiratory diseases 9 Mold and fungus.
9 Some of them are carcinogen.
17 Division of Air Quality, State of Alaska

Global Warming (Climate Change Evidence)

Improve Indoor Air Quality
• Source Control
– Eliminate individual source of pollution or
reduce their emissions.

• Ventilation Improvements 1. Global temperature

2. Sea level
– Increase the amount of outdoor air coming 3. Snow cover
indoors.
– E.g. Open windows and doors, install attic fans

• Air Cleaners
– Collect pollutants from indoor air through the
cleaning/filtering equipment

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 Six Greenhouse Gases (GHG)

Symbol Name Common Sources

CO2 Carbon Dioxide Fossil fuel combustion, forest clearing, cement production, etc.
Landfills, production and distribution of natural gas &
CH4 Methane petroleum, fermentation from the digestive system of livestock,
rice cultivation, fossil fuel combustion, etc.
N2O Nitrous Oxide Fossil fuel combustion, fertilizers, nylon production, manure, etc.

Refrigeration gases, aluminum smelting, semiconductor

HFCs Hydrofluorocarbons
manufacturing, etc.

PFCs Perfluorocarbons Aluminum production, semiconductor industry, etc.

Electrical transmissions and distribution systems, circuit

SF6 Sulfur Hexafluoride
breakers, magnesium production, etc.

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GHGs Atmospheric Concentration Temperature trend in Hong Kong

(1) Primary GHGs are
carbon dioxide (CO2),
methane (CH4) and
nitrous oxide (N2O)

(2) Their atmospheric

concentrations have
significantly increased
since the industrial
revolution

How does this

affect Hong Kong? Annual mean temperature recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters
(1885‐2009). Data are not available from 1940 to 1946
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 Carbon footprint is defined as the total amount of
direct and indirect
Carbonemissions of greenhouse gases,
Footprint Per Capita Carbon Emissions
expressed in in terms of equivalent amount of carbon
dioxide emission”

6.2 (HK)

Does China emit less

CO2 compared to U.S.? 26

China Regulation & Compliance Hong Kong Reduction Target

• China committed to reduce its CO2 emissions Expected
intensity by 40 to 45% in 2020 compared to 2005 GHG
level. emissions
reduction in
• Carbon intensity = CO2‐e/GDP = CO2‐e/$ HK from
2005‐2020

How much is the CO2

emissions intensity reduction
for Hong Kong?
What are the major sectors
50‐60% by 2020 from 2005 level
account for GHGs emissions
27 in Hong Kong? 28
 Introduction to the CIC Carbon Labelling Scheme Introduction to the CIC Carbon Labelling Scheme
I. Climate Change and GHG I. Climate Change and GHG

Sources of Emissions throughout the Building

Buildings and Construction Life Cycle
Contribution to Global CO2 Emissions

#1. Building and Construction (>40%)

Demolition stage
#2. Transportation (~20%)
Production of
material stage
#3. Industry (~20%) Operation stage
Construction Stage

Buildings in Hong Kong accounted for 60% of total local GHG emissions.

Source: International Energy Agency (2012) CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion
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Introduction to the CIC Carbon Labelling Scheme

I. Climate Change and GHG

Building’s Carbon Footprint – Australia

Journey to Become
Environmental Engineer

Hong Kong Institution of Engineers

Source: http://etool.net.au
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 Routes to Professional Engineer
(Corporate Membership of HKIE) Duties of
Engineering
Graduate
Training Route
General
Experience Route
Mature Route
Over 35 Years of Age
Emerging Route Environmental Engineers

Recognised Academic Qualifications

Recognised
Academic
Qualifications
Non-recognised
Academic
Qualifications
Degree in
Applied Science
Core Areas of Work:
z Formulation and implementation of Government
Environmental Policies
Engineering General
Graduate Training Experience
2 or 3 Years 5 Years
Minimum 15 Years
Min. 8 Years
Relevant z Design, Install, Maintain & Operate Sewerage &
Waste Facilities
6 Years Progressive Experience
Responsible Responsible Experience Experience in a Responsible
Experience
2 or 1 Year
Experience
1 Year
Position
z Environmental Planning and Impact Assessment
z Environmental Monitoring
Professional Assessment z Technologies development and commercialization

Member
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Potential Employers Potential Employers

Private Sector: Public Sector (HKSAR Government):

z Consulting firms on waste/sewage z Environmental Protection Department (EPD)
treatment and environmental impact
assessment, e.g. AECOM, ERM z Water Supply Department (WSD)
z Utilities companies, e.g. HEC, CLP z Drainage Service Department (DSD)
z Semi-government organizations, e.g. z Civil Engineering and Development Dept (CEDD)
HKPC, MTRC, CIC, HKGBC
z Contractors, e.g. Gammon, Leighton

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 HKIE
880 FHKIE
11,000 MHKIE
4,700 Graduate
4,100 Student
Let us join hands and build
our green environment!

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Campus of Hong Kong University of Science & Technology

Thank you and hope to

Environmental
engineering is a see you in our
practical and
full of creativity
subject. We
Department next year!
solve problems
and improve
our daily life. It
is a meaningful
career that you
will be proud of.
Choose your major
based on interest-
driven, not market-
driven.

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