Air quality across Taiwan took a turn for the worse yesterday as the country came under the influence of a sandstorm from China, increasing the volume of floating particles in the air.
Statistics collected by the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) yesterday morning showed up to three times the normal volume of particles in the air in Tamshui, Yangmingshan and Pali, all in northern Taiwan.
PHOTO: CNA
The air in Pali measured 158 micrograms per cubic meter, whereas Yangmingshan and Tamshui measured 110 and 119 micrograms respectively.
The normal particle volume in Taiwan is between 50 and 60 micrograms per cubic meter, according to the EPA.
Central and southern Taiwan also began to feel the effect of the sandstorm beginning yesterday afternoon.
This is the first Chinese sandstorm to affect Taiwan this year.
The EPA said particle volume in northern Taiwan may decrease slightly this morning, but may rise again as another sandstorm begins to impact Taiwan tomorrow.
The EPA has advised people with respiratory and cardiovascular problems, elderly people and children to avoid going outdoors or taking strenuous outdoor exercises.
Those who have to go out should wear masks, the EPA said.
It is expected that Taiwan will be completely free from the sandstorm's influence by late today, before coming under the influence of another Chinese sandstorm tomorrow, EPA officials said.
The impact on Taiwan of sandstorms from China has become increasingly serious in recent years, the EPA officials said, adding that such sandstorms most frequently affect the nation in the March to May period.
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