The Ministry of Environment’s (MOENV) Air Quality Statistics issued on Thursday showed a general decrease in all pollutant density across the nation over the past five years.
Department of Monitoring and Information Deputy Secretary-General Hu Ming-hui (胡明輝) said statistics over the past five years showed that PM10, particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter, have gone down by 8 percent, PM2.5 levels have fallen by 7 percent to 11 percent compared with last year, while nitrogen dioxide has gone down by 15 percent.
However, ozone pollution levels have only decreased by 3 percent, leaving much to be desired, Hu said.
Photo: Wu Po-hsuan, Taipei Times
Ninety percent of days in the five years had an Air Quality Index (AQI) level below 100, or were of average air quality, while weather stations only recorded 1,566 days during which the air quality was at “orange” — which is bad for those with allergies — down from 4,270 days in the five years to 2018, he said.
As of last month, the average PM2.5 density was 12.5mg per cubic meter, down from 13.7mg per cubic meter last year, the secretary-general added.
PM2.5 introduced from foreign sources in February coupled with this year’s Typhoon Usagi resulted in a spike in PM2.5 levels in Taiwan, Hu said.
The increased rain in the latter half of the year had helped reduce air pollution, Hu added.
Department of Atmospheric Environment Director-General Chang Shun-chin (張順欽) said NT$76.6 billion (US$2.34 billion) would be invested from this year to 2027 to decrease PM2.5 levels and ozone pollution.
The funds are to be used to target the petrochemical industry to reduce air pollution, lessen the number of high-emission vehicles by 50 percent, promote the use of electric-powered buses and environment-friendly joss paper, encourage ships to use coast-based power for recharging and restrict the residual amount of volatile organic compounds in commercial products, he said.
The new air quality standards, as defined under Paragraph 3, Article 5 of the Air Pollution Control Act (空氣污染防制法), that were amended in September are to enter into effect on Wednesday next week, Chang said.
The amendments would adjust the air pollution levels for the AQI, increasing the number of warnings issued, Chang added.
Air pollution forewarnings for outlying islands would be increased to three days of advanced warnings from one, allowing outlying islands to have more time to react to air pollution, he said.
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
RSS