Air agreement: Director of Environmental Protection Anissa Wong exchanges documents with an ENSR Asia (HK)representative after signing the consultancy pact.

A two-year study of major industrial air-pollution sources in the Pearl River Delta region has launched, the Environmental Protection Department says. Data collected will be useful when formulating appropriate control strategies to improve the air quality in the region.

The department today awarded a consultancy agreement to ENSR Asia (HK) to undertake the study, which will be completed by late 2009.

The study will look into the spatial distribution of the major industrial sources of pollutants including sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, respirable suspended particulates and volatile organic compounds.

Through on-site survey and measurement, the consultant will identify the emissions characteristics of these major industrial sources and control measures adopted at present. The best available pollution-control technologies applicable for the major pollution sources in the region will be examined, so practical control options can be identified.