Mei Ng, a member of the Advisory Council on the Environment and former director of Friends of the Earth, said Disney should not act ``irresponsibly.''

Ng was responding to The Standard's report Monday which revealed that California's Disneyland uses environmentally friendly fireworks which cut down air and noise pollution by up to 60 percent.

``This is irresponsible. They [Hong Kong Disneyland] said the [new] technology is impossible to use in Hong Kong,'' she said.

Ng suggested that Disney invite its scientists from California to consult whether the new fireworks technology can be deployed in the SAR.

Disney's plan to stage nightly fireworks at its Penny's Bay site in Lantau Island when it opens in September has been subject to criticism from residents of nearby Peng Chau Island and Discovery Bay, who have complained of excessive noise and air pollution.

In Monday's report, California's Disneyland said it deploys air-launch technology, which uses compressed air to launch fireworks as an alternative to gunpowder. This, combined with low-gunpowder fireworks, reduces noise and air pollution by up to 60 percent.

Hong Kong Disneyland spokeswoman Esther Wong said Monday night in a written statement that, ``Hong Kong Disneyland will adopt the most effective and appropriate fireworks technologies, but our earlier fireworks tests have shown that we have complied with the environmental impact assessment [of the Environmental Protection Department] requirements.''

She also said that Discovery Bay and Peng Chau, which are 2.7 kilometers away from Penny's Bay, will be shielded from ground-level noise.

The government's EPD spokeswoman said, ``Of course, we hope Hong Kong Disneyland will do its best for environmental protection. The most important thing for us is to see if Disney [breaches environmental regulations].''

A spokeswoman for the Tourism Commission, which monitors the operation of Hong Kong Disneyland, said it will listen to public opinion and work out a plan based on feedback.

Islands District Councilor Amy Yung said, ``I am glad to hear that this new technology is used in California. Disney should use this to reduce the harm to the residents' health.''