Sandstorm in Inner Mongolia to affect nation's air quality

A sandstorm in Inner Mongolia, is expected to affect Taiwan's air quality starting today, officials at the Environmental Protection Administration warned yesterday.

The storm is the third sandstorm this year to affect Taiwan, agency officials said, adding that the effects of this storm would exceed that of the previous two.

Once the fine sand reaches northern Taiwan today, the level of microparticle density in the air is expected to reach between 150 and 250 micrograms per cubic meter -- exceeding the normal level by 100 to 200 micrograms per cubic meter, officials said.

The sandstorm's effect locally is not expected to dissipate until tomorrow afternoon, the agency said, adding that a storm system would carry the sand southward, affecting the air quality in central and southern Taiwan.

The agency said that sufferers of respiratory and cardiac illnesses should avoid outdoor activities until the high levels of sand particles have subsided.

The agency provides regularly updated information on local air quality on its Web site, www.epa.gov.tw.