Representatives of environmental groups gathered in front of the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) yesterday to urge the government to lower electromagnetic wave safety standards to a maximum of 1 milli-Gauss (mG).
The agency is considering lowering electromagnetic wave safety standards by 10 percent for “sensitive regions” such as schools, hospitals and residential areas, but the activists said that was not enough.
Taiwan Electromagnetic Radiation Hazard Protection and Control Association chairwoman Chen Chiao-hwa (陳椒華) said the EPA was considering lowering the standard for sensitive areas from 833mG to 83.3mG.
PHOTO: CNA
“From WHO data, we know that advanced countries such as the US and Switzerland have an electromagnetic wave safety limit of 1mG. We fear that as Hsiao is on the EPA’s expert panel, his statement could cause a public misunderstanding,” she said.
She was referring to a recent remark by National Taiwan University of Science and Technology electric engineering assistant professor Hsiao Horng-Ching (蕭弘清) that even if an environment or location had an electromagnetic wave level of 8,300mG, there would be little harm to human health.
“Even at 83.3 milli-Gauss, people are still exposed to high health risks and are likely to develop chronic illnesses such as cancer, or give birth to children with mental retardation or other birth defects,” Chen said.
The environmental groups urged the government to follow the example set by other countries and set the nation’s safety limit to 1mG.
Air Quality Protection and Noise Control Director-General Hsieh Yen-ju (謝燕儒) said the EPA was not ready to decide on whether to lower the limit.
“To make sure we cover all the bases, we will hold more meetings with environmental groups, the National Communications Commission, the Department of Health and media representatives soon,” Hsieh said.
As for the debate over 1mG and 83.3mG standards, Hsieh said that since every country is different, the EPA would collect more information to determine what was best for Taiwan.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
RSS