The Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) promulgated the Indoor Air
Quality Management Act (IAQMA) as the nation became only the second country in Asia to
legally regulate indoor air quality (IAQ). 5 auxiliary rules and regulations were also
promulgated to better implement the IAQMA. The promulgation of regulations governing the
first and second batches of announced premises conforming to the IAQMA have been
announced by the EPA. In Taipei, the number of the first and second batches of announced
premises is 91 and 235, respectively. The amount of announced premises in Taipei is the
highest in Taiwan as well as the most categories.
To assist the announced and unannounced premises in Taipei to be more informed about
IAQ management, this project has conducted matters related to inspection and examination,
guidance, training, and regulation promotion. 300 premises were inspected for carbon dioxide
(CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and formaldehyde (HCHO) by using portable devices. It was
found that kindergarten, nursing institution, and library are the major categories with the
relatively high levels of CO2 exceeding the legal threshold of 1,000 ppm. In addition, 100
premises were examined by standard reference methods. Results show that 80 premises meet
the stipulated standards, while 20 premises fail with the concentrations of at least one indoor
air pollutants (CO2, PM10, PM2.5 or bacteria) exceeding the legal threshold. The major
categories of above 20 premises are library, medical institution, metro station, KTV business,
shopping mall, and kindergarden. Furthermore, 101 premises received the on-site guidance to
identify the symptoms and causes of poor IAQ, including pollutant source, air conditioning
and ventilation system, maintenance and management. After guidance, constructive,
economical, and problem solving approaches were suggested by the experts to correct poor
IAQ problems. 2 workshops were held to train dedicated personnel for IAQ maintenance and
management. Furthermore, 1 workshop was held for the departments of Taipei City
Government to promote the installation of automatic equipment for continuous monitoring of
IAQ.
In addition to meet the requirements outlined in the official contract, 3 extra tasks were
implemented to enhance the quality of project, including the drawing of CO2 concentrations
along the inspection routes, evaluation of the applicability of fast bacteria screening device in
hospital, and improvement of an index for the diagnosis of IAQ management.
The following suggestions were made for a better IAQ management. As a member of
Taipei City Government, the Taipei Public Library have to pay more attention to improve
IAQ of announced premises. Otherwise, the inspection has to go ahead as a last resort. In thecase of airflow pathway along the air conditioning system may be one of the sources of
bacteria, it is suggested to conduct bacteria samplings at the external air inlet, air outlet, return
air inlet, and related spaces to identify the influence of sources and distributions of bacteria
for futher effective sterilization. Regional hospital and gym with area larger than 1,000 m2
should be included when drafting regulations governing the third batch of announced
premises. The concentrations of total volatile organic compounds are worth further
investigations in premises, especially for those who frequently use household cleaning
products or agents. To promote public awareness of the importance of IAQ, it is also
suggested to issue a press release relating to the fruitful results of Indoor Air Quality
Voluntary Management Certificate scheme, thus further to provide incentives for owners of
premises to pursue a better level of IAQ. Finally, the issues of indoor air quality including
ventilation demands and requirement for CO2 concentration should be taken into account
throughout the design and modification stages of air conditioning system.
