Taiwan's Pollution Crisis: Air And Water Harms

Taiwan, an island nation off the east coast of China, faces significant air and water pollution. Air pollution in Taiwan is largely caused by the domestic combustion of fossil fuels and organic matter, with geographical factors such as Taiwan's topography trapping pollutants. The main sources of air pollution are industrial facilities, power plants, and traffic. Water pollution in Taiwan is caused by industrial, agricultural, and municipal activities, with sewage systems and illegal discharges from industrial sites being particular concerns. The degradation of rivers has been a notable issue, with a 2018 study finding that pollution was almost ubiquitous in 14 major rivers during the 2002-2016 period.

Burning fossil fuels and organic matter

Taiwan's air and water pollution problems are largely attributed to the burning of fossil fuels and organic matter. The country's topography, with its industrial centres surrounded by mountains, contributes to poor dispersal and the trapping of pollutants. The combustion of fossil fuels releases various air pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants have detrimental effects on both human health and the environment.

Sulfur dioxide, a byproduct of burning fossil fuels, can lead to respiratory issues, especially for individuals with asthma. It also contributes to haze, reducing visibility and impacting scenic areas. Additionally, nitrogen oxides play a significant role in smog formation, and particulate matter, with a diameter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), can penetrate deep into the lungs, delivering harmful pollutants directly into the bloodstream. The burning of fossil fuels also releases greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), which contribute to global warming and climate change.

Water pollution is another pressing issue in Taiwan, caused by oil spills, chemical leaks, and wastewater discharge from fossil fuel extraction and refining operations. These pollutants contaminate aquatic ecosystems, harm or kill organisms, and disrupt food chains, leading to population declines and localized extinctions. Additionally, increased carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels contribute to ocean acidification, which in turn affects marine life, including coral reefs and shellfish, that depend on calcium carbonate structures.

To address these issues, Taiwan has been working towards transitioning from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy sources, including nuclear and renewable technologies. The country has also been tackling solid fuel usage for cooking, which is a primary risk factor for deaths and respiratory problems from indoor air pollution.

Furthermore, Taiwan has been grappling with the challenge of imported coal, oil, and natural gas, as the extraction and burning of these fossil fuels impose increasing costs on the public through air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and other externalities. The government's subsidies for these fuels have been criticised for hindering the country's future energy development and harming public health.

Fugitive dust from riverbanks

Several factors contribute to the high levels of fugitive dust from riverbanks in Taiwan. Firstly, the country's mountainous terrain and steep slopes lead to rapid water flow and the accumulation of sediment in lower reaches. The rivers then experience extreme seasonal drying during the winter, exposing large areas of the riverbed. This is exacerbated by the prevalence of northeast monsoons during this period, which bring dry and cold weather. The combination of exposed riverbeds and strong winds creates ideal conditions for the generation of fugitive dust.

The impact of fugitive dust from riverbanks extends beyond air quality degradation. High concentrations of particulate matter, such as PM10, have been linked to negative effects on the physical and mental health of residents in downwind areas. Additionally, the dust can reduce the quality of life and cause inconvenience for those living in affected regions.

To address the issue of fugitive dust from riverbanks, various control strategies have been proposed and tested. For instance, spraying surfactants on unpaved roads has proven effective, with a control efficiency of approximately 93%. Wet suppression techniques on paved roads have also shown promising results, with dust control efficiencies ranging from 50% to 83%. Re-vegetation of disturbed ground is another strategy, although it tends to be less effective, with efficiencies ranging from 48% to 64%.

The Taiwanese government has taken steps to monitor and address the issue of fugitive dust from riverbanks. The Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (TEPA) has established automatic PM10 monitoring equipment near rivers prone to fugitive dust to better understand the situation and forecast air quality. This data helps in making informed decisions and implementing effective control measures to mitigate the impact of fugitive dust on Taiwan's environment and residents.

Industrial waste and sewage

Taiwan's rapid economic growth and urbanisation have led to a surge in waste production, with serious environmental consequences. In the absence of a public national system for industrial waste disposal, "dirty industries" such as semiconductors and petrochemicals have disposed of solid and liquid wastes with impunity. This has resulted in the pollution of soil, water bodies, and the atmosphere, posing varying degrees of threat to human health.

Water pollution in Taiwan is caused primarily by industrial wastewater (54%), followed by domestic sewage (25%) and domestic animal waste (21%). The lack of a proper waste disposal system has resulted in the dumping of toxic waste into the country's water bodies, with severe consequences for both the environment and public health. For instance, in July, 100 tons of toxic solvents were dumped into the Kaoping River, leaving 3 million residents without drinking water for five days.

The government has discovered 160 illegal dump sites nationwide, with the three most dangerous located near the Kaoping River. In addition, 100,000 barrels of toxic waste were discovered in central Taiwan, polluting the Tatu River. These incidents highlight the need for improved waste management and enforcement of environmental regulations in Taiwan.

Taiwan has recognised the importance of water conservation and is focusing on finding new water sources and strengthening water management. The Water Resource Protection Strategy, approved in 2004, aims to address the severe water shortage situation caused by climate change. Taiwan is also promoting the recycling and reuse of wastewater, with reclaimed water being utilised as a new water source for industrial consumers, especially high-tech industries.

The largest water reclamation plant in Taiwan and Southeast Asia is the ASE water reclamation plant in Kaohsiung. It treats industrial wastewater effluents collected from different factories in the Nanzih Technology Industrial Park. The reclaimed water undergoes a series of treatment processes, including bio-activated carbon (BAC) filtration, MMF, UF, and RO, to remove organic pollutants and produce high-quality effluent.

Air pollution from China

Taiwan has made significant strides in reducing air pollution over the past decades. However, it continues to face challenges due to air pollution from China, which affects its air quality, particularly during the winter months. China's air pollution deteriorates Taiwan's air quality significantly every winter, according to the Environmental Protection Administration's (EPA) Director of Environmental Monitoring and Information Management, Chu Yu-chi, based on air pollutant monitoring data from China's major cities.

Taiwan's air pollution is influenced by a combination of local and overseas sources. Local sources, such as industries and automobiles, account for a large portion of the country's polluted emissions. The semiconductor and petrochemical sectors, for example, have been identified as significant contributors to environmental damage in Taiwan. However, overseas air pollutants, primarily from China, further exacerbate the issue. This results in Taiwan frequently failing to meet its domestic air quality standards.

During periods of cross-border haze, pollution blown over from China can cause Taiwan's Pollution Standards Index (PSI) readings to reach unhealthy and even hazardous levels. This index measures the concentration of five major air pollutants: PM10 (particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter), sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ground-level ozone. The increase in air pollutant levels during the winter months has been linked to short-term health hazards, including mild symptoms such as eye irritation, sneezing, and coughing.

To address these challenges, Taiwan has taken several measures. The Taiwan Healthy Air Action Alliance, for instance, set a goal to reduce emissions by 25% instead of 50% within three years, acknowledging the difficulty of achieving a more drastic reduction. Additionally, state-owned enterprises, such as Taipower and China Petroleum, have been urged to invest in pollution prevention and improve their production processes to reduce emissions by 20% to 40%. The Taiwanese government has also acknowledged the impact of government spending on air quality and has committed to investing in environmental protection to reduce PM2.5 levels.

Respiratory health issues

Taiwan's air pollution is largely caused by the domestic combustion of organic matter and the burning of fossil fuels, with traffic being the major source of air pollutants in cities. The island's topography, characterised by high mountains, traps air pollution and prevents its dispersal. As a result, Taiwan's air quality is severely compromised, with high concentrations of particulate matter, including PM2.5 and PM10, as well as pollutants like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide.

These airborne pollutants have significant respiratory health implications for Taiwan's residents. Sulphur dioxide (SO₂), released from burning fossil fuels, can form fine particulate matter that negatively impacts respiratory health, especially for individuals with asthma. The high levels of PM10 and PM2.5 particles in Taiwan's air also pose serious respiratory risks. Research has linked these particles to increased mortality, with each additional 10 micrograms/m3 of PM10 associated with a 1% increase in the death rate.

In addition to the physical health impacts, air pollution in Taiwan also affects respiratory health in the form of increased prevalence of respiratory diseases and reduced lung function among residents living near industrial areas. For instance, residents within 1 km of a petrochemical complex in Chienchen, Kaohsiung, exhibited a higher standardised mortality ratio for cancers of the lung, kidney, and urinary bladder, as well as leukaemia. Similarly, those residing within 3 km of a coal-fired power plant demonstrated lower lung function and a higher incidence of respiratory diseases compared to individuals living further away.

Furthermore, air pollution from burning plants, such as wormwood, agarwood incense, and joss paper during festivals and ceremonies, releases fine particulate matter that can impact respiratory health. While the smoke contains insect-repelling compounds, the primary concern is the fine particles that may affect the respiratory system.

Water pollution in Taiwan, caused by a combination of domestic sewage, industrial wastewater, and domestic animal waste, also contributes to respiratory health issues. Untreated sewage in water bodies leads to a high rate of hepatitis, which can have respiratory complications. While Taiwan has made progress in addressing environmental issues, respiratory health remains a critical concern due to the pervasive air and water pollution across the island.

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