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Press
Releases - 1998
Inspection
found no chemical leakage from container
There
is no longer any continued potential impact on the marine
environment in Tuen Mun Immigration Anchorage where a Chinese
vessel carrying 14 containers of dry batteries, two containers
of wire and rattan products and one container of ammonium
chloride sank on Tuesday (April 21).
Water
samples taken by the Environmental Protection Department from
the vicinity of the accident and at the five beaches in Tuen
Mun in the last three days showed no indication of water pollution
caused by the sunken vessel.
An EPD
spokesman said all 17 containers were recovered and inspection
of the container containing 20 tonnes of ammonium chloride
showed that all the contents were intact, sealed in properly
labelled plastic bags and in good condition.
"There
was no sign of chemical leakage," he said.
Samples
taken on site of the inspection confirmed that the substance
was ammonium chloride, which is a chemical commonly used in
dyeing processes, dry batteries, fertilizer and washing powder.
"It is
a mild skin and respiratory irritant and is not classified
as dangerous goods," he said.
The contents
in the other containers were also in good condition and showed
no sign of having caused any pollution to the marine environment.
The five
beaches, which were closed to swimmers as a precautionary
measure, have been reopened. They are, Butterfly Beach, Cafeteria
Old Beach, Cafeteria New Beach, Golden Beach and Kadoorie
Beach.
End/Friday,
April 24, 1998
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