Carbon Filters for Food Exhaust Systems at Hawker Centres

Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) how many NEA hawker centres currently have activated carbon filters installed in the exhaust systems; (b) whether there are plans to install such filters for existing hawker centres that do not have them; and (c) what other measures is NEA taking to ensure better odour control, smoke, noise and grease reduction in hawker centres in residential areas.

Prior to the commencement of the Hawker Centres Upgrading Programme (HUP) in 2001, hawker centres were not fitted with centralised exhaust systems. Centralised exhaust systems were introduced during the HUP. These systems are typically fitted with baffle filters to reduce the grease in cooking fumes.

For new centres, besides a centralised exhaust system with baffle filters, the National Environment Agency (NEA) also considers the installation of additional air cleaning systems such as carbon filters, ultraviolet lamps or electrostatic precipitators in their exhaust systems to prevent grease or odour issues.

Currently, four hawker centres have additional air cleaning systems such as carbon filters installed in their exhaust systems. If there are issues related to the exhaust system of specific hawker centres, NEA will look into the feedback and work with the relevant stakeholders, including Town Councils for Housing and Development Board (HDB) centres, to explore appropriate solutions for the centres such as replacing the motors in the exhaust system or installing carbon filters in the exhaust system, if necessary.