Media

HKU to reopen Haking Wong Building

08 Jan 2014

 

The Haking Wong Building of the University of Hong Kong will reopen tomorrow (January 9 Thursday) at 9am. Test results of airborne asbestos fibre level from air samples taken from the building suggested that the building is safe for normal occupation.

Some asbestos-containing debris was observed on the floor in several maintenance rooms during a recent regular survey in the Haking Wong Building. A Task Force led by HKU Executive Vice-President (Administration and Finance) Dr Steven Cannon decided yesterday (January 7) to close the building temporarily for air quality tests to be carried out.

Of all the air samples collected by a registered asbestos consultant, contamination at levels exceeding the acceptable standard has been confined to a single plant room and there is no evidence of contamination beyond that room. The room has been sealed and the process of decontamination from this and other affected plant rooms has begun. Air-conditioning of the building will be disrupted in the meantime.

The Task Force took the advice of the consultant and considered it to be safe to occupy the building. Further swab tests have been taken by the consultant for any traces of contamination on obscure and hidden surfaces, even though they are not considered to be a health concern, according to the consultant. The results of the tests will be known next week.

Meanwhile, those areas in other buildings deemed to be of higher risk will be inspected immediately for signs of any possible debris similar to that found in the Haking Wong Building.

For media enquiries, please contact: Ms Trinni Choy (Assistant Director (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2606 email: pychoy@hku.hk; Ms Melanie Wan (Senior Manager (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2600 email: melwkwan@hku.hk; or Ms Rhea Leung (Manager (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2857 8555 email: rhea.leung@hku.hk.