The new Air Quality Index (AQI) was implemented on December 1 2016, with pollution levels falling into 6 categories, with each level representing a different concentration of polluting particles. Individual indicators and a colouring system are used to provide simple information to the public which in turns helps them take preventative measures to remain healthy. In fact, the national overall AQI > 100 ratio has dropped from 26.2% in 2014 to 19.3% in 2016 and is continually improving. This is owing to environmental protection authorities at all levels making continued efforts to reduce air pollution each year. Accordingly, the average concentration of PM2.5 also decreased, as it was 20.0 μg/m3 in 2016 in comparison to 23.5 μg/m3 in 2014, illustrating a marked improvement. In conclusion, both the AQI >100 ratio and pollutant concentration in 2016 are at a lower level when compared to recent years. The air quality data for past 10 years show SO2 has highest 35% improvement among all pollutants, and it’s possible the major SOx emission source (sulfur fuel combustion) which decrease year by year to cause the annual concentration dropped.
We analyze top 10 polluted areas, including top 3 are Zhushan, Douliu and Xiaogang for PM2.5; Nanzih, Renwu and Cianjin for PM10; Linyuan, Chaozhou and Zuoying for O3 to be considered as priority control areas. The SO2 abnormal high concentration in 2015 often occurred in Daliao between night and early morning within the wind between north and east. The NO2 abnormal high concentration in 2015 often occurred in Hsintien, Tucheng, Banqiao, Sanchong and Yonghe due to traffic emission and poor air diffusion. After AQI was implemented, we assisted to amend emergency notification procedures, design report form. Over 500 notifications are sent to local governments via our online inform system (contact lists update every 3 months), including Kao-Ping and Yun-Chia-Nan with the most times.
To collect the information of international control regulations to amend the regulation of Emergency Management for the Prevention of Air Quality Deterioration, such as the United States, Japan, South Korea, Paris. For recent years, most countries focused their control measures on mobile emission sources; moreover, three expert exchange workshops, two public hearings in Taipei and four public hearings in central and south Taiwan were held under our assistances.
We also take the United States, Japan and Canada’s researches as references to estimate AQI_PM2.5-hr (current AQI_PM2.5 calculation is based on 24-hr concentration). The result shows AQI_PM2.5-hr=100 and 150 correspond to 54 μg/m3 and 80 μg/m3, and it helps us estimate the possibilities of AQI_PM2.5-24hr to reach emergency response level.
Preliminary reviews of SIPs for 22 local governments were finished according to EPA guidelines for SIP revisions, including Clean Air Action Plan, latest TEDS version, control measures reduction calculation method and so on. As for reduction calculation review, unreasonable calculation includes inspection, oil sampling, the lengths of washing and sweeping streets and so on. It’s the priority to review the reduction over 10% within a single year.
The project also accomplished as follows: 1. “International Conference on Aerosol Science ＆ Technology (ICAST)” was held in September 2016. 2. “The Annual Assessment Report of the Air Pollution Control in Taiwan for 2015” and “The Annual Assessment Report of the Air Pollution Control in Taiwan for 2016” were compiled. 3. Collect and provide latest international air quality management and strategies to EPA. 4. Make analysis for data from OECD’s Your Better Life Index, Yale University’s Environmental Performance Index and keep contact with related personnel. 5. Complete the manual of the air quality management regulations and design propaganda materials. 6. EPA’s websites for air quality protection is maintained in regular and other relevant major tasks such as conferences administrative and technical support are completed.
