Safetywise, Vol. 16, No. 2

Abstract

Safety and Environmental Protection Office Safetywise Vol. 16 No.2 Jun 2007

A Sustainable HKUST, Taking the First Step

This article is contributed by Prof Gerald Patchell of Division of Social Science. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the last issue of Safetywise, we introduced you to sustainable universities, the global movement toward them and what a sustainable university would look like. It is our pleasure to let you know that HKUST is taking action to be a leader in this movement. We will be building on the excellent foundation already established by the Safety and Environmental Protection Office (SEPO) and the Estates Management Office (EMO) and striving to integrate sustainability ideas and practices throughout University activities.

Our first step is to take stock of our present actions and policies and make recommendations for future action. Hence the University is developing an “Environmental Status Report for UST” this summer. Our goal is to improve our understanding of all the University’s environmental impacts and its management systems, but for this audit we are emphasizing an analysis of our carbon footprint. We want to prepare the University to take immediate action in this critical area, and to demonstrate our environmental responsibility.

The effort is led by a group of faculty and staff members, including Dr David Mole (AVP-AA), Prof Paul Harrison and Prof Moe Cheung (Co-Directors of Institute for the Environment), Prof Gerald Patchell (Division of Social Science), Prof Paul Forster (School of Business and Management), Prof Alexis Lau (Institute for the Environment), Mr Mike Hudson (Director of EMO), and Dr Joseph Kwan (Director of SEPO). During the summer these committee members and student researchers will be fanning out through the University reading meters, checking record books, and perhaps talking to you. In regard to our carbon footprint, we will be checking out not only the sources and expenditures on electricity, towngas, diesel, etc., but also the end uses in the labs, the dorms, the lighting systems, air conditioning, commuting modes, air miles… We will also be taking stock of the materials and equipment coming into the University, how they are used here, how they leave the University, and where they go when they leave. Visits will be paid to purchasing, finance, Student Affairs Office, and the different faculties to determine the basis for our material and energy flows, and whether we understand the interactions between different people's decisions and their environmental and financial costs. From that analysis, we can transform our environmental management systems. Eventually, we want to set our University on a life-cycle assessment basis.

Most importantly we will begin an assessment of how our courses and research influence our students, our Hong Kong community and contribute to the global effort for sustainability.

The report is expected to be completed by the end of September, 2007. But it is only a beginning. It will allow the University Council to make some decisions, set some targets and to build some ambitions. Then the fun begins. The University community will have the chance to brainstorm on ways not only to reduce our ecological footprint but create a more enjoyable, healthy campus to work in.

So if one of these audit folks comes knocking on your door this summer, help them out and begin your transformation of HKUST early!

Organic Farming at The HKUST

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In March 2007, Safety and Environmental Protection Office (SEPO) established the Organic Farming Club with full support from the Students' Environmental Interest Group, the Staff Association and Estates Management Office (EMO) Horticulture Unit. The farm land with 1,800 square feet area is located at the lawn area outside LG7. Starting from April, over 100 staff members and students were recruited. Due to the overwhelming response from the staff and students, about 70 members in the first group can only enjoy the fun of farming for three months from April to June. To enhance members' knowledge on organic farming, SEPO arranged an in-house technical seminar and a training provided by the 'Produce Green' in April. The training fee was paid by course participants. EMO and SEPO provide technical support for the daily operation of the organic farming. The Students' Environmental Interest Group and the Staff Association jointly manage the recruitment and the administration work for club members. If you are interested in joining the club, please email to the Staff Association staff@ust.hk <mailto:staff@ust.hk> or the Students' Environmental Interest Group hkust.ea@gmail.com <mailto:hkust.ea@gmail.com> for more information.

In the technical seminar, Professor Raymond Wong of the Department of Biochemistry, Mr Jack Chan of the EMO Horticulture Unit and Dr Samuel Yu of SEPO shared their experience with members of the Organic Farming Club.

Professor Yuk-Shan Wong, Vice-President for Administration and Business, Mr Mike Hudson of EMO, Dr Joseph Kwan of SEPO, representatives from the Staff Association and the Students’ Environmental Interest Group in the “Kick-off Ceremony” for Organic Farming. The ceremony was held in the “HKUST Safety, Health and Environmental Week” in April 2007.

Members enjoyed organic farming during lunch time.

Students joined a field trip to Treetop Cottage in late March enjoying hands-on practices on organic farming. Cultivation by our student teams, such as tomatoes, carrots, mints and amaranth.

------------------------------------------------------------------------ New Members Appointed to the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Committee

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The President has appointed the following colleagues to serve on the Environmental Health and Safety Committee, commencing May 2007 for a term of two years:

Prof Y.S. Wong, VP-AB (Chairman)

Prof Tony Eastham, Acting VP-RD

Prof T.C. Pong, AVP-AA

Prof S.Y. Cheng, Dean of Science

Prof David K. Banfield, Associate Professor, Department of Biology

Prof Ian Williams, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry

Prof Chak K. Chan, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering

Prof Christopher Chao, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Prof Paul Forster, Assistant Professor, Department of Information & System Management

Prof Gerald Patchell, Associate Professor, Division of Social Science

Mr Mike Hudson, Director of Estates Management

Dr Joseph Kwan, Director of Safety & Environmental Protection

(Ex-officio Member & Secretary)

This Committee will continue to help establish policies, address emerging issues, monitor performance, and set priorities and goals on the University’s safety and environmental protection matters. For this term, in addition to colleagues experienced in environmental and occupational health and safety, several additional members with background and interest in environmental issues have been appointed with the goal of further strengthening our sustainability effort. Colleagues and students with ideas and comments on environmental health and safety matters can channel their views to the Committee through the above listed members.

Thanks are due to outgoing members, Professor Richard Haynes, Professor Huihe Qiu and Professor Raymond S.C. Wong, for their contributions in the past two terms.

Radon Assessment at The HKUST Nansha IT Park

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Ming Pao News has recently reported a survey conducted by a researcher in China on radon concentration in soil in Nansha. The researcher who conducted the survey claimed that the radon concentration in the Nansha area was abnormally high as compared to the levels reported in similar surveys. The presumably high soil radon could contribute significantly to the indoor radon level. As you may know, HKUST has established several research centers in Nansha IT Park and the report has certainly left a few unanswered questions in the minds of many of our colleagues who work in Nansha regularly.

In an attempt to clarify the situation, Safety and Environmental Protection Office (SEPO) tried to contact all the parties mentioned in the news, including the news reporter and the researcher who did the survey. As it turns out, they could neither provide any figures about the radon levels reported nor any additional information to smother our worries. The HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School and SEPO decided to conduct a radon survey to evaluate the present situation. The radon levels in all of the offices occupied by our staff and a number of apartments and dormitories at the Nansha IT Park were monitored. The soil-gas radon level in the proposed site of the new Nansha campus was also assessed. The highest average radon level reported among all samples collected indoor in the entire survey was 67 Bq/m3, which was well below the radon level, 100 Bq/m3, recommended by the Chinese National Standard. The figure was also well below the recommended averages, 150 Bq/m3 and 200 Bq/m3 promulgated by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the HKSAR Indoor Air Management Group respectively. The soil-gas radon level reported for the proposed site of the new campus was well below 10,000 Bq/m3, which is an action level established by the Chinese National Standard, below which no further assessment or remedial actions are required when preparing the site for construction. The soil-gas radon concentration reported in the survey is not expected to contribute significantly to the indoor radon level in the new campus building. Although the soil-gas radon level could be used as an indicator to help predict indoor radon level, more importantly, occupants should follow practices that help reduce indoor radon and indoor air pollutants in general. These practices have been discussed in our previous Safetywise. You are recommended to visit the following page for further details:

http://www.ab.ust.hk/sepo/sftywise/200508/page1.htm

------------------------------------------------------------------------ Safety, Health and Environmental Week 2007 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ With the objectives of heightening awareness and disseminating knowledge in environment, health and safety, Safety and Environmental Protection Office (SEPO) had organized a series of relevant activities during the 3-day period from 11th to 13th April 2007 (SHE Week 2007). The activities consisted of talks, exhibition and other activities, such as organic farming and a safety slogan design competition. The annual fire drill was also conducted in the morning on 13th April as an activity in the SHE Week.

SHE General Interest Seminar

A whole-day seminar on various SHE topics was conducted on the first day at Lee Wing Tat Lecture Theatre (LT D). The seminar began with an opening remark given by Prof Y S Wong, VP-AB, followed by a number of speakers with expertise knowledge and experience in specific SHE topics. The talks were well received by the audience with enthusiastic discussions. A 'Sustainable Practice' workgroup has actually been formed to follow up the ideas put forth by some of the speakers. Those who had missed the opportunity can review the talks at the following web link:

http://www.ab.ust.hk/sepo/ehs_talk07/talks.htm <http://www.ab.ust.hk/sepo/ehs_talk07/talks.htm>

Prof Lam Kin Chee, Chairman, Advisory Conunil on the Environment Prof Kwan Hoi Shan, Chairman, Expert Committee on Food Safety Mr Pang Kwok Lam, Chief Occupational Safety Officer, Labour Department Prof Sian Griffiths, Director, School of Public Health, CUHK Prof Gerald Patchell, Division of Social Science, HKUST

Exhibition

Exhibition booths were set up at the Chia-Wei Woo Academic Concourse during the whole 3-day period. A total of 12 exhibitors took part in the exhibition. Details of the names of the exhibitors and the themes of their exhibition can be found at the following web address: http://www.ab.ust.hk/sepo/sftywise/200703/Article1.htm In addition to the above exhibition booths, the Fire Services Department and the Department of Health also joined the exhibition by sending a 'Light Rescue Unit' and a 'Dental Health Education Unit' for display on campus on 13th April. Campus Safety Slogan Design Competition

In order to heighten the safety awareness of colleagues, a 'Campus Safety Slogan Design Competition' was organized by the Staff Association with support from SEPO. A total of 87 entries were received. Seven entries were selected for awards by a judging panel comprised of members from the Staff Association and SEPO. The awards were presented on 11th April in the Opening Ceremony of the SHE Week preceding the SHE talks. The following are the awarded safety slogans: Champion: Ms Debbie Leung, ITSC 1st Runners-up: Ms Linda Y O Mak, LANG 2nd Runners-up: Ms Silvia Lam, SEPO

你又忙，我又忙，安全措施切勿忘 You are busy, I am busy. Don't forget measures of safety. (Translation) 無論工作有多忙 安全措施不可忘 校園安全意識好 工作安心效率高

Merit Awards:

工作安全齊關心 學術科研倍安心

Mr Doug Wong, ITSC

職業安?齊認識 校園個個都得益

Ms Sarah K Y Kam, DENG(Dual Degree) 你我做好呢份工！ 校園安全咪放鬆。 We'll get the job done! Campus Safety will be done.

Mr Keith Ng, CSO

校園安全，齊齊關心。 安全校園，人人開心。

Mr Paul Lai, DENG 安全規則齊遵守， 校園工作樂優悠。

Ms Lotta L H Tse, MECH

Organic Farming

To mark the opening of the “organic farming” activity on campus, a Kick-off Ceremony was held on 12th April officiated by Prof Y S Wong (VP-AB), Mr Mike Hudson (DEM) and Dr Joseph Kwan (DSEP). Please refer to the separate article “Organic Farming at The HKUST” for details of the activity.

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SEPO Lab

A One-of-a-Kind Laboratory at HKUST ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Who Are We? Safety and Environmental Protection Office Laboratory (SEPO Lab) was established in 1993 as the analytical branch of the Safety and Environmental Protection Office (SEPO) of HKUST. It is located in Rm 3107 of the Laboratory Block of the University. The primary charter of SEPO Lab has always been providing high quality analytical support to protect the health and safety of our staff and students, and the campus natural environment. Secondly, in line with the mission of the University, we also extend our unique analytical capabilities to serve the local and nearby communities.

We have a small but capable team of analysts, all with solid background and training in analytical chemistry and quality assurance, and with extensive work experience in research and analytical laboratories.

A One-of-a-Kind Laboratory

There are hundreds of laboratories at HKUST, but SEPO Lab is a one-of-a-kind laboratory in that we are a service laboratory providing analytical services based on established testing methods, and these analyses are supported by an accredited quality assurance system to ensure precision and accuracy of data.

The purpose of SEPO Lab is not to generate experimental data for the advancement of knowledge as in a research laboratory, nor to teach or demonstrate practical knowledge through experiments as in a teaching laboratory. We are set up to conduct well-defined testing protocols, based on rigorous quality assurance and quality control requirements. The reliability of our analytical work is attested by the accreditations achieved by the SEPO Lab.

Laboratory Accreditations

Laboratory accreditation is a system to evaluate and recognize laboratories that have demonstrated to a third party (the accrediting body) that they have the necessary facility, equipment, personnel, and technical skills to perform a certain scope of analyses under an effective quality assurance system. Laboratory accreditation involves rigorous documentation requirements, site visits, and regular proficiency checking by analyzing blind samples prepared by the accrediting body or a third party. The most widely recognized international standard for quality assurance of testing and calibration laboratory is ISO/IEC 17025.

SEPO Lab is currently accredited by two accreditation schemes, both in compliance with ISO 17025. The first one is the Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Accreditation Program (IHLAP) of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), which is an internationally recognized occupational hygiene laboratory accreditation program. Under this scheme, SEPO Lab is accredited to perform a wide range of occupational exposure sample analyses, spanning from particulates to metals and volatile organic compounds.

The other accreditation held by SEPO Lab is the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) under the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR Government. SEPO Lab has been accredited by HOKLAS for various environmental testing methods, including a series of water and wastewater parameters, such as pH, solids, heavy metals, etc.

Why an Accredited Lab?

Nowadays, more and more decision-making in environmental protection and occupational health relies heavily on analytical data. Many of these decisions have enormous implications and potential impacts to business, workers, and the general public. Therefore the quality of environmental and occupational monitoring data is of utmost importance. In developed countries, we are seeing increasing emphasis on quality assurance of analytical data through reference to internationally recognized standards, such as ISO 17025, and through various laboratory accreditation programs. Even though local regulations have not formally required analysis to be performed by accredited laboratories, it has become an industry standard and good practice to only rely on data with quality assurance for such important decision-making.

For legal cases involving analytical data, it is even more critical to have data backed up by a recognized quality assurance scheme. It is well known that in legal proceedings, analytical data without detailed documentation and proof of quality will be rejected and will not be accepted as evidence. We knew of at least one local criminal lawsuit involving an occupational injury where the plaintiff’s case was summarily dismissed by the court because they could not produce critical laboratory quality assurance documents to support the analytical data which supposedly demonstrated an overexposure to a toxic chemical. The victim eventually had to file a civil lawsuit and settle out-of-court to receive a compensation for the work injury.

A Unique Resource

SEPO Lab is the only AIHA accredited occupational hygiene laboratory in Asia that performs the full suite of chemical analyses and also provides service to outside parties on a fee basis. It has become a unique resource not only to Hong Kong, but the whole region in terms of occupational hygiene analysis. In fact, SEPO Lab has provided services to many multi-national, especially US-based companies, which have manufacturing plants in the region. With the rapidly developing economy in China, and the rising demand of workers’ protection, the need of such analytical services is expected to rise.

SEPO Lab is the only HOKLAS accredited environmental testing laboratory located in local universities. We do not intend, and are not in a position, to compete with the many existing commercial laboratories that provide HOKLAS accredited environmental testing. However, we are in a unique position because in addition to regular environmental testing methods, we can also assist with applied research and consultancy projects of our faculty members who need quality assured analytical data. In fact, SEPO Lab has been involved in various environmental studies, product testing, and other laboratory testing in support of our faculty members. Moreover, our accredited quality assurance scheme offers a readily available platform for development and standardization of novel analytical procedures, such as those for traditional Chinese medicines.

Analytical Capabilities

Currently SEPO Lab has the following analytical equipment:

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer with Graphite Furnace (GFAAS), and Flow Injection Analytical System (FIAS) for low level metals.

· Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) for metal quantification and scanning.

· Gas Chromatograph with Flame Ionization Detector or Electron Capture Detector (GC/FID/ECD) for volatile organic analyses.

· Gas Chromatograph with Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) for volatile organic scanning and identification of unknowns.

· Flow Injection Analyzer (FIA) for selected inorganic analytes

· Ion Chromatography (IC) for anions and other inorganic analyses, and

· High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for certain organics.

Further Information

The primary charter of SEPO Lab remains to be protecting the health and safety of our staff and students, and the campus natural environment. We also provide analytical support to research, teaching and community service of HKUST. It is the mission of SEPO Lab: to protect and to serve, by quality analytical work.

For more information, please visit our webpage at http://www.ab.ust.hk/sepo/sepolab/

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