6 models of television sets have been found not to be in full compliance with the new fire safety requirement in flammability
This was highlighted in a report published by the Consumer Council on a safety test conducted by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) on 15 models of 14" (11) and 15" (4) television sets.
Fire accidents involving TV sets in the household are not a rare incidence. According to the EMSD, there were 9 fire accidents involving TV sets in 2001, 5 in 2002 and 1 in the first five months of 2003.
One of the main objects of the test is to assess the flammability of the TV sets - once set ablaze, how long and fast will the fire burn and spread.
The samples were subjected to tests in accordance with the international safety standard IEC60065:1998.
The results showed that out of the 15 models tested, 6 models were yet to meet the new safety requirement in flammability.
There is, however, no cause for immediate concern. According to the EMSD, these samples in question had complied with the previous version of the safety standard (IEC60065:1985) which was in force until last year and, therefore, in general they are safe to use.
Nonetheless, manufacturers are urged to improve the materials used for the enclosures of TV sets in order to meet with the latest safety standard requirement.
In general, out of the 15 models tested, 9 models are in full compliance with the safety requirements of the standard, apart from markings and/or instructions.
All the TV sets passed the critical tests on hazardous radiations, heating under normal operating conditions, electrical shock hazard under normal operating conditions, insulation requirements, fault conditions, and stability and mechanical hazards, etc.
Energy consumption of air-conditioners varies widely up to 30%
Meanwhile, to help consumers beat the summer heat, the Consumer Council has published in this June (320) issue of CHOICE a comparative test report on air-conditioners.
Included in the test were 15 models of claimed cooling capacity, ranging from 4.6 to 5.33 kW, suitable generally for a living room. Highlights of the test include:
- 11 of the models were found to exaggerate their claimed cooling capacity. The discrepancies between the measured and the claimed values were within a relatively small 5%. The Council's previous test on air-conditioners of similar cooling capacity pointed to differences of up to 18%.
- The annual running cost (estimated) of electricity of the test models varied from $1,805 to $2,600, a difference of over 30% or potentially a saving of $795 a year.
- Some air-conditioners are more quiet than the others. A range of over 10 dB in noise level measurement was found between the quietest and the noisiest samples (when tested in a reflective environment at the lowest fan speed).
- Air-conditioners seem to be a common offender of water dripping. Indeed 3 models performed so poorly they failed in the dripping test. 6 others had to rely on the aid of a drain hose to pass out excess condensate water during the test.
In the "Interim Report on Measures to Improve Environmental Hygiene in Hong Kong", it is pointed out that dripping air-conditioners are a nuisance to passers-by and other occupants of buildings and there is a considerable number of complaints about this nuisance. The government will step up enforcement from next month and streamline the procedures to tackle this environmental nuisance.
Consumers are strongly advised that under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, a person shall be guilty of an offence if he allows his ventilating system to emit hot air or to discharge water in such a manner as to be a nuisance. The penalty is $10,000 and a daily fine of $200.
Consumers are also reminded that although most air-conditioners will not have dripping problem when they are new, this may occur on particularly humid summer days or when the air-conditioner has been used for a considerable period of time. To solve the dripping problem, consumers may install a drain hose for proper disposal of the excess condensate water.
Electric thermal pots that don't boil to 100°C
Some electric thermal pots are incapable of heating water to a boil to precisely 100 degrees Celsius.
This was borne out in a test of the Consumer Council on 17 models of electric thermal pots - an appliance favoured by many a household here to boil and keep water hot ready to serve a cup of tea or coffee at an instance.
The test indicated that out of the 17 samples, only 8 models could fully bring the water to the boiling point of 100°C.
The 9 remainders of the test samples were found to heat water only up to 99°C (3 models), 98°C (4 models) and 97°C (2 models).
The samples were also subjected to tests of their reboil function. All but one of the top performers retained their ability to reboil water to 100°C. The one exception, however, could heat only to 90°C.
2 more samples achieved 100°C in reboil function while the rest remained within the range of 97°C to 99°C.
But this less-than-entirely-satisfactory performance should not worry consumers unduly. For most bacteria and viruses can be effectively killed when water is heated up to 75°C-80°C for 1 minute. Concerned users can keep the water boiling for 2 to 3 minutes more before serving.
Further, consumers are advised to empty the water in the thermal pots regularly and fill in fresh water to start boiling anew, instead of adding water and reboiling the contents repeatedly. This is because there may be in the water chemical impurities which may accumulate and become concentrated over time through repeated boiling.
The test also raised concerns over the length of the cord and the relative ease with which hot water could be drawn out accidentally, despite that the international safety standard does not have these requirements.
7 of the samples were supplied with a cord longer than 140 cm, which is considered to pose a higher potential risk of the appliance being pulled down by toddlers when hanged loosely over the edge of a table.
Many thermal pots are equipped with either electric pumps or cup triggers and without safety locks which, though convenient to use, are accident-prone that could lead to serious scalding.
Statistics in Japan indicated that during the period 1997 to 2001, some 80 cases of scalding accidents, half of which involving children of under 10 years old, were reported in relation to the use of the products.
Electric thermal pots should, therefore, be placed safely away from young children. Safety locks should always be activated and it is advisable not share a mains outlet with other electrical appliances.
The results of the electrical safety test are generally satisfactory. Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement for a few models. For instance, the backup overheat protection of 1 model needs to be enhanced to protect the appliance under abnormal operating conditions, though not required by the international safety standard, while the insulation distances of 2 other models should be improved to meet the requirements of the international standard.
Electric thermal pots are, incidentally, not cheap to operate in terms of energy consumption. A fully filled pot staying warm for 1 year could cost the user $260 to over $500 in electricity bills.
Council raises health concern over more Ultraviolet-C germicidal devices
Consumers are urged to operate portable battery-operated Ultraviolet-C sterilizers with the utmost of caution.
This advice from the Consumer Council followed hot on the heels of a recent health warning issued on the use of UV-C lamps in the household for sterilization and disinfection against the SARS virus.
UV-C radiation is harmful to the skin and the eyes, and may cause skin cancer. It should, therefore, be avoided as far as possible.
The Council has put to test 2 samples of a similar product employing UV-C technology, sourced from a fashion gift shop and the web and priced at $488 and $188 respectively. They operate on dry batteries and are similar in size as a handy compact MD player.
Both claimed to be suitable for sterilizing kitchen chopping boards, knives, dining wares and the like.
The test measured the effective irradiances (the amount of radiant power incident on a surface) of the samples at 5 mm (the operating distance suggested in 1 sample), as well as at distances of 150 mm and 300 mm to simulate the accidental operating conditions.
Based on their effective irradiance, the analysis showed that both devices could deliver ultraviolet radiation, within a matter of seconds, to pose a potential health hazard to the eyes and the skin exposed to the ultraviolet rays.
According to the Department of Health, the closer the distance to the ultraviolet light compartment surface, the stronger the effective irradiance and the shorter the permissible time for exposure will be.
At a close distance of 5 mm the UV radiation delivered by the 2 samples for even 1.4 seconds to 4.5 seconds would have exceeded the WHO and the International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) recommended daily 8-hour exposure limit of 30 J/m2.
The effective irradiance measured at 150 mm (about 6 inches) was about 4 times that measured at 300 mm (about 1 ft). At 300 mm the permissible limit for exposure was longest at above 260 seconds.
Any casual use of UV-C devices by consumers in general is to be discouraged; and the use of this type of device may give a false sense of security as the area of irradiation is very small and it is easily that the area of disinfection is incomplete.
The Consumer Council warned that great care and due caution must be exercised in the use of these products. Any improper or abusive use, by children in particular, could lead to potentially serious health consequences.
Manufacturers and suppliers are urged to display on the product a prominent bilingual warning label in both Chinese and English stating: "This device emits intense ultraviolet radiation that is harmful to the eyes and skin. Do not operate the device on the skin or stare directly at the light source."
The Consumer Council has forwarded the test findings to the Customs and Excise Department which has undertaken to investigate if there is any contravention of the general safety requirement under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance.
Council takes frozen meat retailers to task on issue of public health
A Consumer Council survey has uncovered widespread irregularity by frozen meat retailers in the handling of frozen meat for retail sales.
The survey covered more than 40 frozen meat shops selling frozen meat in the 6 districts of North Point, Wanchai, Shatin, Tsuen Wan, Wong Tai Sin andMongkok.
According to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), all frozen commodities shall be stored in refrigerator at all times and sold direct from refrigerator to customers without being thawed out, plucked or dressed.
But what the survey found was a far cry from the conditions set by FEHD for the sales of frozen meat in retail outlets of licensed operators.
Frozen meat, predominantly chicken, pork and seafood, was peddled openly in boxes, baskets and containers on portable shelves in front of the stores - without proper refrigeration and exposed sometimes under the sun.
Some 35% of the frozen meat surveyed showed early signs of thawing, and 11% had bloody water seeping out.
Frozen meat sold in such conditions, not only may affect the quality, but also may pose high risks of endangering the health of the general public.
Freezing inactivates or slows the growth of bacteria present in meat. But once thawed, however, the bacteria can again become active, swiftly multiplying when under the right conditions to levels that can lead to foodborne illness.
During the survey, it was observed that consumers did not appear to be concerned about shopping for frozen meat that was on open display at the stores, in a state of half-thawed.
Consumers must recognise the fact that bacteria can grow and multiply between 4°C and 60°C and the multiplication rate is most rapid in room temperature, as such, it is not proper to thaw meat and other frozen foods at room temperature. It is therefore in the interest of consumers to ensure that the best practice is for the retailers to sell frozen meat direct from the refrigerator.
And at home, proper thawing should take place in a refrigerator or defrost submerged in cold water or microwave. After defrosting the food should be cooked immediately and thoroughly. It is not advisable to refreeze any perishable food that has been thawed.
In the course of the survey, the Consumer Council also found 2 frozen meat retailers suspected to be selling frozen chickens as chilled chickens. The chilled chickens sold by another 2 outlets were not kept properly refrigerated between 0°C and 4°C but left exposed outside the stores at room temperature.
The Consumer Council has forwarded the findings and the retail outlets concerned to FEHD for action. In response, FEHD health inspectors conducted surprise visits to the fresh provision shops surveyed and their investigations are continuing.
According to information provided by FEHD, in the past 17 months ending May this year, FEHD staff had carried out about 11,000 inspections to about 1,500 premises selling frozen commodities throughout the territory (about 500 are supermarkets and 1,000 are individual stalls and shops) and issued 170 warnings, reminding them to comply with all licensing conditions governing the sale of frozen commodities.
To strengthen the control of food hygiene in licensed food premises (including fresh provision shops)/stalls in public markets, FEHD will introduce in August this year a streamlined procedure to drastically speed up the cancellation of licences/termination of tenancy agreements due to breach of licensing requirements or conditions/tenancy conditions.
Latest test points to decline in GM ingredients in food
Genetically modified (GM) ingredients were found to be present in soya milk, tofu, beancurd dessert, soya infant formula, and canned soup.
Continuing its vigilance on the issue of GM food, the Consumer Council has launched its latest round of tests to detect the presence of GM ingredients in foodstuffs commonly available to consumers in stores and supermarkets.
In the test were included 9 soya products, 3 soya infant formula, 4 canned soup, 7 canned/frozen corn kernels and 3 frozen French fries.
Out of a total of 26 samples, 12 (46%) were found to contain GM soya only. No GM corn or GM potato varieties were detected in any of the samples.
The presence of GM ingredients was confined to mostly in soya product samples and some canned soup. The highest GM soya quantity was found in a soya milk sample - 70% GM soya DNA out of the total soya DNA.
Other than that single exception, the quantities of GM ingredients found in the test were substantially lower than those in a similar test 3 years ago.
Only less than 0.1% of GM soya was found in the tofu, beancurd dessert and soya milk samples. And in the soya infant formula samples the GM ingredient was found to be 0.1% to 0.2%.
The decline in the amount of GM ingredients in food could be attributed to growing pressure from consumer groups worldwide, voluntary measures by farmers and manufacturers as well as tighter regulation on the part of governments in various countries.
Octopus cards: a case of one too many
Take note if you are holder of two Octopus cards - or more.
The Consumer Council has this advice for you: be sure to keep the Octopus cards separately and not place them closely together in your wallet or handbag when run them over the charging machine.
Otherwise you are liable to be charged twice - one from each card, simultaneously.
At least one consumer has learned it the hard way when she ran her 2 Octopus cards together over the machine on a public light bus. On the screen she noticed the remaining balance of the stored value of the cards one after another.
It was later confirmed that both her Octopus cards had been debited in the amount of the fare at the same time.
The hapless consumer later lodged a complaint to the Consumer Council.
According to the operator of Octopus Cards, two possibilities exist when 2 cards are run over the charging device at the same time - first, the transaction may not be effected or second, the stored values on both cards are debited simultaneously.
This is because the machine is unable to differentiate if the 2 cards are used together, or 2 card holders have used their cards in rapid succession of each other.
Consumers are, therefore, advised to keep their Octopus cards separately, when paying for public transportation and possibly other transactions to avoid being overcharged.
Chairing the press conference today (June 14) on the publication of CHOICE issue number 320 is Prof. CHING Pak-chung, Vice-chairman of Publicity and Community Relations Committee of the Consumer Council.