Air Pollution In Taipei: Is It Dangerous?

Taipei, Taiwan's largest city and capital, has been facing air pollution issues. The city's topography, surrounded by mountains, contributes to poor air dispersal and trapped pollutants. While the air quality in Taipei is generally acceptable, it can cause minor to moderate symptoms in sensitive groups, such as those with breathing difficulties or throat irritation. The primary sources of air pollution in Taipei are traffic and the burning of fossil fuels, with research indicating that traffic emissions are the major contributor. To mitigate this issue, Taipei has expanded its Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, resulting in a significant reduction in carbon monoxide (CO) and NO₂ levels. However, the expansion has also led to an increase in ozone (O₃) concentration.

Sources of air pollution in Taipei

Taipei, Taiwan's capital and largest city, is surrounded by mountains and industrial centres. The city's topography has been noted as a contributing factor to its poor air quality, trapping pollutants and preventing their dispersal.

Domestic Combustion

The burning of fossil fuels is a significant source of air pollution in Taipei. In 2014, legislators and the Taiwan Healthy Air Action Alliance drew attention to the annual mean PM10 level in Taiwan's air, which stood at 54 micrograms per cubic meter. Taipei's annual mean of 47.1 micrograms per cubic meter ranked the city 1,089th out of 1,600 when compared to other cities worldwide.

Traffic

Traffic is another major source of air pollution in Taipei. Research conducted by the National Taiwan University in 2015 identified traffic as the primary source of air pollutants in the city, particularly from motorcycles with two-stroke engines.

Industry

State-owned enterprises and companies in the steel, electric, and petrochemical industries are among the top 30 pollution sources in Taiwan. The Taichung Power Plant and the Sixth Naphtha Cracking Plant of the Formosa Plastics Group have been identified as significant contributors to air pollution in central Taiwan, emitting large quantities of sulfur oxides.

Public Transportation

The expansion of the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system in Taipei has helped mitigate urban air pollution by providing a cleaner alternative to private and public vehicles, thus lowering emissions from the transportation sector.

While air quality in Taipei is generally acceptable, sensitive groups may experience symptoms from long-term exposure, including throat irritation and difficulty breathing.

Impact of Taipei's topography on air pollution

Taipei, the largest city in Taiwan, is surrounded by mountains. The city's topography has been identified as a contributing factor to its air pollution problem. The high mountains trap air pollutants, preventing their dispersal. This leads to a build-up of harmful substances in the atmosphere, which can have negative consequences for human health and the environment.

The primary source of air pollution in Taipei is traffic, particularly from two-stroke motorbikes, and the combustion of fossil fuels. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, releases sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere. SO2 can cause respiratory issues, especially for those with asthma, and it also reduces visibility, creating haze. In addition to SO2, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) are also present in Taipei's air. These pollutants are formed by the combustion of fossil fuels and the operation of thermal power plants.

The impact of Taipei's topography on air pollution is significant. The mountains surrounding the city act as a barrier to air circulation, trapping pollutants in the city. This leads to higher concentrations of harmful substances in the air, which can have adverse effects on the health of residents. The poor air quality in Taipei has been a persistent issue, with levels of PM2.5 and PM10 particles exceeding acceptable limits. These fine particulate matters can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

To mitigate the impact of topography on air pollution, Taipei has implemented several measures. The expansion of the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system has helped reduce emissions from the transportation sector, leading to a decrease in CO and NO2 levels. Encouraging the use of public transport, phasing out old two-stroke vehicles, and promoting electric vehicles are also part of the city's strategy to improve air quality. Vertical greening, which includes green walls and roof greening, has gained attention as a sustainable approach to enhancing Taipei's urban environment.

Traffic as a major contributor to air pollution

Air pollution in Taipei, Taiwan, is a significant issue, with the city ranking 1,089th out of 1,600 cities worldwide for air quality. While air pollution in Taiwan is largely attributed to the burning of fossil fuels, traffic is a major contributor to air pollution in Taipei specifically. Research conducted by National Taiwan University in 2015 revealed that traffic is the primary source of air pollutants in the city.

The annual mean concentration of PM2.5 particles in Taipei City and New Taipei City is 20 μg/m3, which is significantly higher at ground level. The concentration of hazardous suspended particles such as silicon and iron decreases with increasing altitude, indicating that ground-level traffic emissions play a crucial role in Taipei's air pollution.

The impact of traffic on air quality in Taipei is further evidenced by the expansion of the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system, which began in 1996. This expansion aimed to reduce urban air pollution by providing a cleaner alternative to private and public vehicles, thereby lowering transportation sector emissions. Indeed, studies have shown a notable decrease in carbon monoxide (CO) and NO₂ levels since the implementation of the MRT system.

However, the increase in MRT usage has also led to an unexpected rise in ozone (O₃) concentration, highlighting the complex nature of air pollution and the need for continuous monitoring and innovative solutions. Vertical greening, such as green walls and roof greening, has gained attention as a sustainable approach to improving Taipei's urban environment, with successful examples in other cities worldwide.

While overall air quality in Taipei is generally acceptable, sensitive individuals may experience symptoms from long-term exposure to certain pollutants. Real-time air quality monitoring solutions, such as those offered by Prana Air, provide valuable data and insights to help individuals, businesses, and organizations make informed decisions to improve air quality and protect public health.

Expansion of MRT to reduce air pollution

Air pollution in Taiwan, and particularly in its capital and largest city Taipei, is a cause for concern. The city's topography, surrounded by mountains, contributes to the air pollution problem by trapping pollutants. Research by the National Taiwan University in 2015 identified traffic as the major source of air pollutants in Taipei.

To address this issue, the expansion of the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system was implemented beginning in 1996. This expansion aimed to reduce urban air pollution by offering a cleaner transportation alternative to private and public vehicles, thereby lowering emissions from the transport sector. Indeed, studies have shown a notable reduction of approximately 1.5 times in carbon monoxide (CO) and NO₂ levels between 1996 and 2012. However, the same analyses also revealed an increase in ozone (O₃) concentration following the MRT system's expansion.

The expansion of the MRT system in Taipei has been a crucial step in mitigating air pollution, especially in the metropolitan area of the city. By providing a cleaner mode of transportation, the MRT reduces reliance on private vehicles and older, more polluting public transport options. This shift towards a more environmentally friendly mode of transport has resulted in a significant decrease in harmful emissions, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.

The success of the MRT expansion in reducing air pollution can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the MRT system offers a convenient and efficient means of transportation within the city. Well-planned routes, frequent services, and comfortable travel experiences encourage more people to choose the MRT over other modes of transport. Secondly, the MRT system is integrated with other modes of public transportation, providing a seamless travel experience for commuters. This integration allows passengers to easily connect to other parts of the city or surrounding areas, further reducing the need for private vehicles.

While the expansion of the MRT system in Taipei has yielded positive results in reducing air pollution, it is important to continuously monitor and address any challenges that may arise. For instance, the increase in ozone concentration following the expansion highlights the need for further research and mitigation strategies. Additionally, as the city continues to grow and develop, it is crucial to ensure that the MRT system keeps pace with the expanding urban area, providing coverage to new residential and commercial hubs.

Air quality monitoring and solutions

Air pollution in Taipei, Taiwan's capital and largest city, is a cause for concern. The city's topography, surrounded by mountains, contributes to poor air dispersal and trapped pollutants. The primary sources of air pollution in Taipei are domestic combustion, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, and traffic.

Air Quality Monitoring

Taipei's air quality is monitored by various organisations and tools, providing real-time data and alerts to the public. The Environmental Protection Administration's (EPA) Taiwan Air Quality Monitoring Network (TAQMN) was established in 1990 and has since expanded its number of monitoring stations. The network monitors pollutants such as NO2, CO, PM, O3, SO2, and HCs. Additionally, organisations like AccuWeather, IQAir, and Prana Air provide real-time air quality data and solutions.

Solutions

To address air pollution in Taipei, several solutions have been proposed and implemented:

• Expansion of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system: The expansion of the MRT system since 1996 has provided a cleaner alternative to private and public vehicles, helping to lower emissions from the transportation sector.
• Vertical greening: This approach includes the use of green walls and roof greening to improve urban environments sustainably, following examples from Europe, America, Singapore, and Japan.
• Air quality monitors and purifiers: Companies like Prana Air offer air quality monitoring solutions for various spaces, including schools, hospitals, construction sites, and commercial establishments, to help improve indoor air quality.

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