Atmospheric conditions would not be conducive to the diffusion of air pollutants during the four-day Tomb Sweeping holiday, the Ministry of Environment said on Wednesday, calling on people to avoid going outside when air quality is bad.
Most regions were on “orange alert” — meaning the air quality was unhealthy for sensitive groups — from Wednesday to yesterday, as northeast winds brought high levels of pollutants at 70 to 80 parts per billion from Shanghai, it said.
As the wind direction is to shift easterly today, the atmospheric conditions in western Taiwan would become unfavorable for air pollutant diffusion, likely causing PM2.5 levels to spike, especially in the early morning and at night, the ministry said.
Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA-EFE
The ozone level is likely to rise in the afternoon, as heat and sunlight would catalyze the ozone-forming photochemical reaction, it said.
Given aggravated PM2.5 and ozone pollution, air quality in western Taiwan is forecast to be mostly on “orange alert” from today until Monday, and could turn “red” — which indicates unhealthy air quality for everyone — for a while during that period, the ministry said.
The air quality could improve from Tuesday, as increased regional rainfall could absorb and wash away pollutants, it added.
The ministry has ordered local governments’ environmental protection department to initiate pre-emptive measures against air pollution during the holiday, especially at large factories and construction sites, the ministry said.
Diesel-powered trucks and old vehicles running around spots of heavy traffic flow would be stopped and inspected, while water covering methods would be applied around rivers to prevent contact with dust, it said.
People are advised to stay indoors when the air quality is bad or wear a mask while outside, the ministry said, adding that the public could download the ministry’s “Environment Info Push” mobile app, which sends air quality alerts and allows the user to receive other environmental information.
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