Media

Indoor air quality shows substantial improvement in the Residential Colleges on Lung Wah Street

05 Sep 2012

In response to media enquiries, the university is providing the following information on the Residential Colleges on Lung Wah Street for reference:

1. Air quality monitoring in the Residential Colleges on Lung Wah Street started soon after Occupation Permits were obtained less than two weeks ago. The university has been closely monitoring the readings, while at the same time implemented air quality assurance measures. The report received on Tuesday afternoon indicated that the readings of formaldehyde concentration in a few indoor air samples did not meet the ‘Good Class’ standard set by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the HKSAR Government. The report covered 16 samples, of which six did not meet the ‘Good Class’ standard’, set at a reading of 100 ug/m3. Three samples recorded readings between 100 and 110 ug/m3. The highest reading was 136 ug/m3.  In the latest report received today (5 September), the sample taken from the same location recorded a significant reduction of reading to 108 ug/m3.  Fourteen out of the remaining 15 samples are below 100 ug/m3. The overall trend of the readings is falling.
2. After receiving the reports late Tuesday (Sept 4) afternoon, the university activated the contingency accommodation plan for the non-local students arriving on September 5 and 6, informing students and confirming various arrangements to ensure that they will either be housed in a nearby hotel or other university residences.
3. The implementation of the contingency plan has been going on smoothly.  By 6:30pm today, about 100 students have been arranged to check into a nearby hotel or other university residences. Student helpers have been providing on-site assistance to the newly arrived students.  Up to 800 students may take up short-term accommodation as a result of implementing the contingency plan.
4. The air quality improvement measures in the Residential Colleges will continue. The most effective measure is to enable maximum air ventilation, which we are doing in all the rooms. It is expected that the level of concentration will meet EPD’s ‘Good Class’ standard’ in a matter of days. Students will move into the Residential Colleges once further and consistent monitoring results confirm that the indoor air quality meets the standard.
5. Formaldehyde is emitted from the furniture, which is not an uncommon phenomenon in new buildings. In most cases the formaldehyde issue is resolved by airing over a period of time.  However, the Residential Colleges were purpose-built within a very tight time frame, under very challenging building conditions because of the geographical landscape of the area. A contractor was appointed specifically to provide furniture for the Residential Colleges.
6. It is difficult to estimate the total cost incurred by implementing the contingency accommodation plan as it will depend very much on how many students will move into the hotels or hostels, or other university residences, and how long they will stay.  UGC funds will not be used to support the contingency arrangement.

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