PolyU Announces the Test Results on Campus Environment Assessment

To ensure a healthy and safe campus for its students and staff members, and to address the concerns about the potential hazards of tear gas residue remaining on its campus, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) appointed  independent accredited laboratories to collect environmental samples at various locations on campus (see Appendix I) in early December 2019 for testing, including air, water, soil and surface wipe samples.

The testings cover analyses of several major chemical components in tear gas residue including dioxins, total cyanide, total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 2-Chlorobenzalmalononitrile (active ingredient of CS powder) in the samples collected on the campus. The University has received the results of all the tests on water, soil and surface wipe samples, as well as the test results for CS powder of air samples, while the remaining test results for the air samples are expected to be available in January 2020.

The test results are benchmarked with the reference limits listed in the authoritative documents of relevant local or international authorities/institutions. According to the test results for soil (S1-8), tap water (WA1-4), and surface wipes (W1-22) samples, as well as the CS powder in air samples, all the aforementioned contaminants are well below their respective reference/reporting limits (see Appendix II).

In addition, the University has also carried out safety assessments of the buildings on campus, including assessment of building structural safety, testing of indoor air quality, filter cleaning and a thorough cleanup of individual buildings.

The University will do its utmost to ensure the campus meet relevant safety standards so as to offer PolyU members a healthy and safe environment for studying and working.