Singapore Air Regulations and How Much You Know Them

Singapore Air Regulations and How Much You Know Them

Air Pollution

The Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) regulates sources of air pollution, imposing minimum standards to ensure that emissions remain at acceptable levels to ensure that Singapore has clean and safe air. Emission standards are specified in the Environmental Protection and Management (Air Impurities) Regulations.

The main targets of NEA’s air pollution regulations are industrial operations, power generation plants and motor vehicles.

Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) Emission Inventory

One of the major pollutants in Singapore is sulphur dioxide (SO₂). The sources of SO₂ emissions in Singapore include refineries, power stations, other industries, shipping and other minor sources such as vehicles, airport and construction activities. The 2010 SO₂ emission inventory which is developed based on extensive emissions data collected from various sources in 2007 are shown in the table below.

Sources	Emitters	SO2 Emissions (tonnes)	Contribution of SO2 Emissions
Refineries	Shell	28,278	51%
	Singapore Refining Company	26,754
	ExxonMobil	22,421
Power Stations	Power Seraya	14,194
	Tuas Power	18,382	27%
	Senoko Power	7,754
Shipping	-	28,026	18%
Other Industries	Sembcorp Utilities and Terminals	748	3%
	ExxonMobil Petrochemical	722
	Linde Syngas	546
	Mitsui Phenol	436
	Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore	208
	Invista	3
	Other Fuel Oil Users	1,300
	Diesel Users	46
Motor Vehicles	Petrol Vehicles	891	1%
	Diesel Vehicles	101
Total		150,810	100%

Industrial Emissions

The NEA’s Source Emission Test Scheme for industries requires industries to conduct source emission test on their own or engage accredited consultants to do so on their behalf. This helps industries to monitor their air emissions regularly and to take measures, to ensure compliance with the prescribed air emission standards.

Motor Vehicles

Motor vehicles are a major source of air pollution. To control the emissions generated by motor vehicles, NEA regulates the type and quality of fuel that can be used in Singapore, and also sets minimum exhaust emission standards for all vehicles.

NEA takes stringent enforcement actions against smoky vehicles on the roads. Regulation 19 of the Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations stipulates that it is an offence for any person to use or permit the use of any smoky vehicle on the road.

It is the responsibility of every owner of a vehicle to ensure that the vehicle is in good condition before using it on the road. Besides carrying out proper servicing and maintenance of the vehicle regularly, the driver must also not overload the vehicle or drag the engine of the vehicle while driving.

For 2-stroke motorcycles, the cause of white smoke emissions is usually due to addition of lubricating oil in excess of the amount specified in the vehicle manufacturer’s manual.

Impact of Termiticide on Water Quality

Impact of Termiticide on Water Quality

Organization should conduct an environmental initial review on all their activities, products or services with the objective of identifying what are the environmental aspects associated with their activities

The environmental aspect shall be undertaken by a team of cross functional employees lead by the nominated manage representative.

There are various methods available which an organization can use for the identifying of the organization environmental aspects and from there determine significant environmental aspects based on severity criteria.

The use of termiticide for soil treatment control can have adverse impacts on the environment which may include water pollution in event unapproved termiticide was used. For list of approved termiticide regulated by the Singapore Environment Agency

Here are some useful measures to help you prevent and control water pollution from the use of termiticide

 

 Measures To Prevent And Control Water Pollution From The Use Of Termiticide

1     Scope
This document sets out the minimum requirements for the prevention and control of water pollution from the use of termiticide. Pest control operator shall ensure that the requirements are complied with at all times.

2     Site Preparation
2.1   Determination of Ground Water Table
Test shall be carried out at site to determine ground water table. Soil treatment shall not be carried out if the ground water table is less than 0.5m below soil level. A pit of at least 0.5m depth shall be dug near the site where soil treatment is to be carried out to determine whether the ground water level is less or more than 0.5m from the ground. The ground water level measured from the ground level where soil treatment is to be carried out shall be the natural ground water level and not the artificially lowered level induced by dewatering.

2.2   Provision of Temporary Drainage

Temporary drainage of adequate capacity shall be provided around the whole area to be treated with an outlet at the lowest point. A sample sump shall be provided at the outlet drain for the monitoring of termiticide in the run-off.

2.3   Provision of Impervious Polyethylene Sheet

Impervious polyethylene sheet or its equivalent of sufficient quantity to cover the whole area to be treated shall be kept on site for stand-by use.

3     Chemical Preparation

3.1   Termiticide shall be prepared in accordance to the approved dosage.

3.2   Preparation of termiticide for application shall be carried out in such a manner that it would not be spilled/ discharged to the open drain or a public sewer.

3.3   Any wastewater contaminated with termiticide shall not be discharged into a septic tank, an open drain or the sewer. Such wastewater may be reused or disposed of properly by licensed toxic industrial waste collector.

4       Application Procedure

4.1    Pest control operator must ensure that the soil is not excessively wet (e.g. during or after rain) before carrying out the soil treatment. Soil treatment shall be carried out under good visibility condition.

4.2   Special care must be taken not to spray termiticide beyond the area to be treated.

4.3  Soil treatment and concreting shall be carried out on the same day.
4.4  Pest control operator shall not carry out soil treatment if it is likely to rain before the soil treatment is completed. However, if it rains during the course of soil treatment, measures must be taken to prevent the washing out of termiticide by rainwater.

5     Precautionary Measures

5.1  Every precaution shall be taken to prevent accidental spillage of termiticide. Spillage shall be mopped up with soil or other absorbent materials. The affected soil shall be added to the treated area or kept in plastic bags for disposal at the Ministry's dumping ground.
5.2  All safety and environmental requirements in the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) shall be complied with. Pest control operator shall brief all his workers of these requirements and ensure they comply with the requirements in the MSDS.

Approved Termiticide For Local Use

Approved Termiticide For Local Use

Chlorpyrifos (to be prohibited for local use with effect from 1 Jul 2009)
Fenvalerate (Wazary 10 FL)
Fipronil (Agenda 10SC)
Imidacloprid (Premise 200 SC, Prothor 200 SC and Cheminova Couraze)
Termitox (Fipronil 5.0%)
Thiamethoxam (Optigard Termite Liquid)
or their equivalent

As an alternative to chemical soil treatment, developers and architects may wish to consider the suitability of using non-chemical termite management systems or physical termite barrier systems.
Please note that the above chemicals are controlled as hazardous substances under the Environmental Protection and Management Act. Pest control operators are required to apply for a Hazardous Substances Licence/ Permit to buy and use controlled hazardous substances. You may refer to the web page on HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES CONTROL for more information.

NB: The local use of Chlordane for anti-termite soil treatment and its sale has been prohibited in Singapore since 1 Jan 1999.  The local use of Chlorpyrifos will be prohibited in Singapore with effect from 1 Jul 2009.

Soil Treatment Control In Singapore - How much you know them?

Soil Treatment Control In Singapore And How Much You Know About Them

1 Introduction 1.1 For the prevention and control of water pollution, only approved termiticide is allowed for used in soil treatment against termite. 1.2 Pest control operator is required to notify Pollution Control Department before soil treatment is carried out. Notification should be made as early as possible and not later than 3 working days from the date of the first soil treatment. 1.3 For pest control operator who is licensed/ permit holder, notification can be made on-line via NEA web site. Pest control operator who does not have licence/ permit will have to notify the Department by mail or fax. 2 Soil Treatment Notification 2.1 On-Line Notification Notification can be made on-line via NEA website Pest control operator's Licence/ Permit No shall be the User ID to log on to the system. 2.2 Notification by Mail or Fax Notification can also be submitted by mail to 40 Scotts Road #12-00, Environment Building, Singapore 228231 or by fax to 67319651 using the attached form with the pest control operator?s letterhead. 2.3 In the notification, the following information shall be provided: Address or lot number of the site with road name; Type of development i.e. HDB, JTC, Condo or Landed; Total area for treatment (in hectares or square meters); Type of termiticide to be used; Treatment schedule with date, time and area for treatment (in hectares or square meters); Pest control operator must confirm that he can comply with the requirements as stipulated in the document 'Measures To Prevent And Control Water Pollution From The Use Of Termiticide' and undertake to submit to Pollution Control Department a report, based on the format attached, upon completion of the soil treatment

Trade Effluent to meet the standards prior to discharge to public sewer, water course and controlled water course

ALLOWABLE LIMITS FOR TRADE EFFLUENT DISCHARGE TO SEWER/WATERCOURSE/CONTROLLED WATERCOURSE Rules and Regulations   Items Of Analysis Sewer Watercourse Controlled Watercourse     (Units in milligram per litre or otherwise stated) 1 Temperature of discharge Please refer to PUB's web page 45 °C 45 °C 2 Colour 7 Lovibond Units 7 Lovibond Units 3 pH Value 6 - 9 6 - 9 4 BOD (5 days at 20°C) 50 20 5 COD 100 60 6 Total Suspended Solids 50 30 7 Total Dissolved Solids - **(2000) 1000 8 Chloride (as chloride ion) - **(600) 250 **(400) 9 Sulphate (as SO4) - **(500) 200 10 Sulphide (as sulphur) 0.2 0.2 11 Cyanide (as CN) 0.1 0.1 12 Detergents (linear alkylate sulphonate as methylene blue active substances) 15 5 13 Grease and Oil 10 (Total) 10(Hydrocarbons) 1 (Total) 14 Arsenic 0.1 **(1) 0.01 **(0.05) 15 Barium 2 **(5) 1 **(5) 16 Tin - **(10) 5 17 Iron (as Fe) 10 **(20) 1 18 Beryllium - **(0.5) 0.5 19 Boron 5 0.5 20 Manganese 5 0.5 21 Phenolic Compounds (expressed as phenol) 0.2 Nil 22 *Cadmium 0.1 0.003 **(0.01) 23 *Chromium (trivalent and hexavalent) 1 0.05 24 *Copper 0.1 0.1 25 *Lead 0.1 0.1 26 *Mercury 0.05 0.001 27 *Nickel 1 0.1 28 *Selenium 0.5 0.01 29 *Silver 0.1 0.1 30 *Zinc 1 0.5 31 *Metals in Total 1 0.5 32 Chlorine (Free) 1 1 33 Phosphate (as PO4) 5 2 34 Calcium (as Ca) - **(200) 150 35 Magnesium (as Mg) - **(200) 150 36 Nitrate (as NO3) - 20 NOTE: * Where 2 or more of the metals listed in the table are present in the trade effluent, the total concentration of the metals shall not exceed 10 milligrams per litre. **( ) Old limits before 1 May 2005. Existing industries have a grace period of 2 years to comply with new limits. Controlled Watercourse means a watercourse from which potable water supplied by PUB under the Public Utilities Act is obtained but does not include a watercourse from which water is pumped into a main of the PUB. The trade effluent discharged must not include:- (1) Calcium carbide. (2) Petroleum spirit or other inflammable solvents. (3) Materials that may give rise to fire or explosion hazards. (4) Materials that may be a hazard to human life, a public nuisance, injurious to health or otherwise objectionable. (5) Refuse, garbage, sawdust, timber, or any solid matter. (6) Pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, herbicide, rodenticide or fumigants. (7) Radioactive material. The trade effluent shall be analysed in accordance with the latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater published jointly by the American Water Works Association and the Water Pollution Control Federation of the United States.

Singapore Environmental Act & Regulations for Trade Effluent and Industrial Water

The Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA),  regulates water pollution and quality in Singapore's sewerage system, as well as inland water bodies and coastal areas. The control of soil pollution is also an important aspect in this regard, given that pollutants in the soil are likely to make their way into the water system as run-off or groundwater. Soil pollution control in Singapore primarily focuses on the use of approved pesticides to combat termites in soil. 

Currently, the public sewerage system serves all industrial estates and almost all residential premises in Singapore. All wastewater is required to be discharged into the public sewerage system. The provision, operation and maintenance of Singapore's sewerage system are governed by the Sewerage and Drainage Act (SDA). The treatment and discharge of industrial waste water into public sewers are regulated by the SDA and the Sewerage and Drainage (Trade Effluent) Regulations. The sewerage Act and Regulations are administered by PUB.

The discharge of waste water into open drains, canals and rivers is regulated by the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA) and the Environmental Protection and Management (Trade Effluent) Regulations. The EPMA and its Regulations are administered by PCD.

Industrial wastewater must be treated to specified standards before being discharged into a sewer or watercourse (if the public sewer is not available). Additionally, industries generating large quantities of acidic effluent are required to install a pH monitoring and shut-off control system to prevent the discharge of acidic effluent into the public sewer. 

Industries may apply to PUB for permission to discharge their trade effluent containing biodegradable pollutants, as determined by their biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS) loading exceeding the allowable standards, directly into the public sewers on payment of a tariff.

Inland and Coastal Waters

The water quality of both inland water bodies and coastal areas is regularly monitored. For inland water bodies, the parameters monitored include pH, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, ammonia and sulphide. Coastal water samples are analysed for metals, total organic carbon, and other physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters.

Confined Space Entry Safety Checklist

Safety Checklist For Working In Confined Space

SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR WORKING IN A CONFINED SPACE ENVIRONMENT
Safety Questionnaire		WSH ( Confined Space) Regulations	Yes	No
	Are all lines to a confined space, containing inert, toxic, flammable, or corrosive materials valved off and blanked or disconnected and separated before entry?
	Are all impellers, agitators, or other moving parts and equipment inside confined spaces locked-out if they present a hazard?
	Is either natural or mechanical ventilation provided prior to confined space entry?
	Are appropriate atmospheric tests performed to check for oxygen deficiency, toxic substances and explosive concentrations in the confined space before entry?
	Is adequate illumination provided for the work to be performed in the confined space?
	Is the atmosphere inside the confined space frequently tested or continuously monitored during conduct of work? Is there an assigned safety standby employee outside of the confined space? When required, whose sole responsibility is to watch the work in progress, sound an alarm if necessary, and render assistance
	Is the standby employee appropriately trained and equipped to handle an emergency?
	Is the standby employee or other employees prohibited from entering the confined space without lifelines and respiratory equipment if there is any question as to the cause of an emergency?
	Is approved respiratory equipment required if the atmosphere inside the confined space cannot be made acceptable
	Is all portable electrical equipment used inside confined spaces either grounded and insulated, or equipped with ground fault protection?
	Before gas welding or burning is started in a confined space, are hoses checked for leaks, compressed gas bottles forbidden inside of the confined space, torches lighted only outside of the confined area and the confined area tested for an explosive atmosphere each time before a lighted torch is to be taken into the confined space?
	If employees will be using oxygen-consuming equipment-such as salamanders, torches, and furnaces, in a confined space-is sufficient air provided to assure combustion without reducing the oxygen concentration of the atmosphere below 19.5 percent by volume?
	Whenever combustion-type equipment is used in a confined space, are provisions made to ensure the exhaust gases are vented outside of the enclosure?
	Is each confined space checked for decaying vegetation or animal matter which may produce methane?
	Is the confined space checked for possible industrial waste which could contain toxic properties?
	If the confined space is below the ground and near areas where motor vehicles will be operating, is it possible for vehicle exhaust or carbon monoxide to enter the space?
	Is there a team of trained personnel for confined space rescue work?
	Are all impellers, agitators, or other moving parts and equipment inside confined spaces locked-out if they present a hazard?
	Is either natural or mechanical ventilation provided prior to confined space entry?
	Are appropriate atmospheric tests performed to check for oxygen deficiency, toxic substances and explosive concentrations in the confined space before entry?
	Is adequate illumination provided for the work to be performed in the confined space?
	Is the atmosphere inside the confined space frequently tested or continuously monitored during conduct of work? Is there an assigned safety standby employee outside of the confined space? When required, whose sole responsibility is to watch the work in progress, sound an alarm if necessary, and render assistance
	Is the standby employee appropriately trained and equipped to handle an emergency?
	Is the standby employee or other employees prohibited from entering the confined space without lifelines and respiratory equipment if there is any question as to the cause of an emergency?
	Is approved respiratory equipment required if the atmosphere inside the confined space cannot be made acceptable
	Is all portable electrical equipment used inside confined spaces either grounded and insulated, or equipped with ground fault protection?
	Before gas welding or burning is started in a confined space, are hoses checked for leaks, compressed gas bottles forbidden inside of the confined space, torches lighted only outside of the confined area and the confined area tested for an explosive atmosphere each time before a lighted torch is to be taken into the confined space?
	If employees will be using oxygen-consuming equipment-such as salamanders, torches, and furnaces, in a confined space-is sufficient air provided to assure combustion without reducing the oxygen concentration of the atmosphere below 19.5 percent by volume?
	Whenever combustion-type equipment is used in a confined space, are provisions made to ensure the exhaust gases are vented outside of the enclosure?
	Is each confined space checked for decaying vegetation or animal matter which may produce methane?
	Is the confined space checked for possible industrial waste which could contain toxic properties?
	If the confined space is below the ground and near areas where motor vehicles will be operating, is it possible for vehicle exhaust or carbon monoxide to enter the space?

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