Dec 28 2009
An official from the Environmental Protection Administration stated that the quality of air in Taiwan has improved in the past few years due to various air pollution reduction measures initiated by the Environmental Protection Administration. These measures were aimed at reducing the pollution caused by factories and local vehicles.
Hsieh Yeih-rui, who is in charge of the noise control and air quality protection at the Environmental Protection Administration, remarked that constant exposure to air pollution will lead to an increasing risk of cancer and shortening of an individual’s life span as highlighted by various studies. Hsieh stated that in recent years an increase in the number of asthma patients is seen, which may be due to an increase in the emissions of PM10, PM2.5 and PM10.
Surveys conducted by the Environmental Protection Administration highlight that the air is mostly polluted by the emissions of particulate pollutants from factories, vehicles and construction projects. The Environmental Protection Administration has requested companies polluting the air to install an all-encompassing fence and to use wash trucks or a dust-proof net to prevent the air from getting polluted.
The Environmental Protection Administration has also set aside special funds to upgrade the street-washing vehicles and established a standard operating procedure for these vehicles. The implementation of these measures has brought about a reduction in the ratio of bad air quality from 4.6% in the year 2004 to 3.0% in the year 2008. The ration of good air has increased from 38.65% in the year 2004 to 42% in the year 2008.
Source: www.epa.gov.tw/en/