Air Pollution In Taiwan: Is It Dangerous?

Taiwan's air quality has been a significant concern, with multiple reports indicating high levels of pollution. The main sources of air pollution in Taiwan are domestic combustion, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, and traffic pollution, particularly in cities like Taipei. The topography of Taiwan, with its high mountains, also contributes to the issue by trapping pollutants. In recent years, Taiwan's air quality has been compared unfavourably to other countries in the region, and it has consistently exceeded recommended limits for particulate matter (PM) levels. While efforts are being made to improve the situation, the health effects of air pollution are a pressing concern for many Taiwanese.

Taiwan's topography traps air pollution

Taiwan's air quality has been a significant concern, with the country's air pollution levels being compared to those of other nations. In March 2014, Taiwanese officials and the Taiwan Healthy Air Action Alliance, based on World Health Organization reports, asserted that Taiwan had worse air quality than Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea, collectively known as the Four Asian Tigers. The annual mean PM10 level in Taiwan's air was 54 micrograms per cubic meter, exceeding the European Union's limit of 40 micrograms per cubic meter.

Taiwan's topography, characterized by high mountains, plays a crucial role in exacerbating its air pollution problem. The capital, Taipei, for instance, is surrounded by mountains, and other industrial centers along the northern and western coasts are encircled by high mountains. This geographical configuration hinders the free circulation of air, leading to poor dispersal and the trapping of pollutants. The trapped air, laden with pollutants, poses a health hazard to residents.

The primary sources of air pollution in Taiwan are domestic combustion and the burning of fossil fuels. In March 2015, research by National Taiwan University identified traffic as the major source of air pollutants in Taipei, while in central Taiwan, thermal power plants were the main contributors. The annual mean concentration of PM2.5 particles in Taipei and New Taipei City was 20 μg/m3, while Kaohsiung had higher levels at 30 μg/m3. Notably, the PM2.5 concentration in Taipei's ground-level air up to three stories high was significantly higher than that above four stories, indicating how topography influences pollution distribution.

During the winter of 2013-2014, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) reported that stations in Yunlin, Chiayi, and Greater Tainan had the worst pollution concentrations. The EPA's Deputy Director, Chang Shuenn-chin, attributed this to fugitive dust from riverbanks during the low-flow season of winter. The strong northeastern winds during this season stir up the dust, which, combined with human activities, results in hazardous air quality.

In November 2015, the EPA's PM2.5 Index indicated that nearly one-third of Taiwan's cities, with Nantou at the top, had experienced poor air quality for over a hundred days that year. Environmental groups have identified Kaohsiung's Zuoying District, Yunlin's Lunbei Township, and Pingtung as among the worst-affected areas in the country, frequently triggering air quality alerts.

Domestic combustion and fossil fuel burning

Air pollution in Taiwan is largely caused by domestic combustion and the burning of fossil fuels. Taiwan's topography, with its high mountains, traps pollutants and prevents their dispersal. The Taiwanese capital, Taipei, and other industrial centres along the northern and western coasts of Taiwan are surrounded by mountains, contributing to poor air quality.

In March 2014, Taiwanese legislators and the Taiwan Healthy Air Action Alliance, based on World Health Organization reports, claimed that Taiwan had the worst air quality out of the Four Asian Tigers, with an annual mean PM10 level of 54 micrograms per cubic meter. Taipei's annual mean of 47.1 micrograms per cubic meter ranked it 1,089 out of 1,600 cities worldwide.

The burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal and oil, releases sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the air, especially from power plants and industrial facilities. High SO2 levels contribute to the formation of fine particulate matter, which can harm respiratory health, especially for those with asthma. It can also reduce visibility, creating haze.

In February 2014, the Environmental Protection Administration's (EPA) Department of Environmental Monitoring and Information Management Director, Chu Yu-chi, noted that there had been seven haze and dust storms since December 2013. These storms may be linked to regional phenomena, and China's air pollution significantly deteriorates Taiwanese air quality in winter.

The Taichung Power Plant and the Sixth Naphtha Cracking Plant of the Formosa Plastics Group are major contributors to air pollution in Central Taiwan, emitting large amounts of sulfur oxides. Additionally, the burning of ghost money (joss paper) and incense during religious ceremonies increases PM10 and PM2.5 particle concentrations.

The IMF report highlights the high cost of coal energy in Taiwan, with the price per gigajoule more than double the international average. This government-sponsored waste harms Taiwan's population and hinders the development of cleaner energy sources. Protests organised by medical professionals have urged the government to reduce coal burning, and small steps towards reducing coal firing have been proposed.

Traffic pollution in Taipei

Taiwan's air pollution is largely caused by the burning of fossil fuels, with its topography also contributing to the issue by trapping pollutants. The capital, Taipei, is surrounded by mountains, which, along with the high mountains surrounding other industrial centres along the northern and western coasts, prevents the dispersal of pollutants.

In 2014, Taiwanese legislators and the Taiwan Healthy Air Action Alliance claimed that Taiwan had the worst air quality out of the Four Asian Tigers, with an annual mean PM10 level of 54 micrograms per cubic meter. This placed Taipei at 1089th out of 1600 when compared to other cities worldwide.

Traffic is the major source of air pollutants in Taipei, with research conducted on PM2.5 particles by National Taiwan University in 2015 supporting this. The annual mean concentration of PM2.5 particles in Taipei City and New Taipei City is 20 μg/m3, with levels at ground level up to three times higher than at four stories and above. The normative limit value of PM2.5 in Taiwan is set at 15 μg/m3, though the WHO suggests a maximum exposure limit of 10 μg/m3.

The expansion of the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system has been implemented as a solution to Taipei's air pollution problem, with studies showing a significant reduction of approximately 1.5 times in carbon monoxide (CO) and NO₂ levels between 1996 and 2012. However, the same analyses revealed an increase in ozone (O₃) concentration following the MRT system's expansion.

Central Taiwan's thermal power plants

Taiwan's air pollution problem is largely caused by domestic combustion, particularly the burning of fossil fuels. The country's topography, including the mountains surrounding industrial centres, also contributes to poor air dispersal and trapped pollutants.

In central Taiwan, fine particles are primarily produced by thermal power plants. The Taichung Power Plant, located in Longjing, Taichung, is a coal-fired power plant with a generation capacity of 5,500 MW. It is the fourth-largest coal-fired power station in the world and one of the most carbon-polluting, emitting an estimated 29.9 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2018. The plant consists of ten coal-fired units, four gas turbines, and 22 wind turbines, with a total installed capacity of 5,824 MW.

Other notable thermal power plants in Taiwan include the Hsinta Combined Cycle Power Plant, a 3,900 MW project in Kaohsiung; the Datan Combined Cycle Power Plant VII-X in Taoyuan County, with a capacity of 3,620 MW; and the Hsieh-Ho Gas Fired Power Plant, a 2,600 MW project planned for Keelung City. The Tunghsiao Thermal Power Plant in Miaoli County is a 5,977.80 MW project currently in the partially active stage.

According to research conducted by National Taiwan University in 2015, the annual mean concentration of PM2.5 particles in Taipei City and New Taipei City was 20 μg/m3, while Kaohsiung had a higher concentration of 30 μg/m3. The normative limit value of PM2.5 in Taiwan is set at 15 μg/m3, but this standard is lower in other countries, such as the United States (12 μg/m3) and the WHO suggested limit (10 μg/m3).

Religious rituals and air pollution

Taiwan's air pollution is largely caused by the burning of fossil fuels, motorcycles, and industrial activity. However, religious rituals, such as burning incense and paper money in temples, also contribute to air pollution, especially in enclosed spaces. The smoke released during these rituals contains fine particulate matter, which can negatively impact respiratory health.

Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has been working to address this issue. They have implemented new restrictions on the amount, location, and timing of setting off firecrackers, and some temples have banned worshippers from burning incense and paper money. These measures have faced some resistance from worshippers, who view these practices as a way of communicating with immortals in Chinese folklore belief.

To address the concerns of worshippers, some temples have found creative alternatives to reduce their environmental impact without completely abandoning traditional practices. For example, the Taoist Nan Yao temple in central Changhua city plays firecracker CDs instead of using real firecrackers and encourages followers to clap their hands to create noise without smoke. The Hsing Tian Kong temple in Taipei has also seen success in maintaining worshipper attendance despite implementing a ban on burning incense, with interior designer Lai Su-hui attributing this to a growing awareness of the need to "cut down on the religious offerings that pollute the environment and hurt our health in a world with growing pollution."

While there is no official record of how many religious establishments have adopted these green approaches, environmentalists say awareness is growing. The management committee of the Beigang Wude Temple, a shrine for the Deity of Fortune in Southern Taiwan, established the "Defending Faith and Guarding Incense Alliance" to resist calls to stop burning rituals altogether. This resistance is particularly strong in suburban and rural areas with a strong religious atmosphere.

Overall, while religious rituals have contributed to air pollution in Taiwan, there are ongoing efforts to reduce their environmental impact, with some temples leading the way in fighting air pollution. These efforts are gradually improving air quality in Taiwan, with social changes and urbanization also playing a role in reducing folk religion and cultural practices that contribute to pollution.

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