The project started on 1th January, 2023, and the main works included RATA and supervision audit, OP and supervision audit, CGA, Zero/Span, the efficiency inspections on NO2/NO transformer, regulatory compliance audit, explanation session for online and regulations, CEMS evaluation; Maintaining the manual monitoring station’s operating and correcting functions; Maintaining detecting and testing facilities in the Zhongyang Protection Network; Air quality detecting in the Zhongyang industrial area by vehicles ; Indoor air quality inspections and inspections and promote self-management labeling operations, indoor air quality regulations briefing sessions, and indoor air quality inspections and testing in public and private places; The period of data statistic had been started from 1th January, 2023 to 31th December, 2023, and the contents are summarized as follows：
(一)CEMS Regulations Conformity and System Function Check
On March 10, 2023, the relative accuracy testing and audit were conducted for the Formosa Chemicals ＆ Fibre Corporation Sin-gung Plant emission stack P501. The average difference in nitrogen oxides exceeded the confidence interval, requiring a Bias Adjustment Factor (BAF) correction according to the CEMS Management Regulations Appendix 10 (Correction period: April 26, 2023, to June 16, 2023). However, during the routine testing on April 21, 2023, for the second quarter RATA, the average difference in nitrogen oxides was below the confidence interval, leading to the cancellation of the BAF correction. The cancellation was submitted to the Environmental Protection Bureau on June 7, 2023 with the report for the second quarter. On July 5, 2023, emission stack P301 was tested, and the average differences in nitrogen oxides and oxygen both exceeded the confidence interval. A BAF correction was required (Correction period: August 3, 2023, to October 5, 2023). However, during the third-quarter RATA on August 18, 2023, the average differences in nitrogen oxides and oxygen were below the confidence interval, allowing the cancellation of the BAF correction. The cancellation was submitted to the Environmental Protection Bureau on September 18, 2023 with the report for the third quarter.
During opacity testing, all pipeline correction error audit results complied with the monitoring facility performance specifications (≤ 3% opacity). Notably, emission stack P101 at Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation Sin-gung Plant showed a slightly higher result in the low range attenuator audit. The plant was informed on-site, and corrective actions were advised to avoid future deviations from performance standards. A follow-up audit on November 23, showed improvements in the high readings. Additionally, the plant personnel were reminded to clean the optical sensor surface when the compensation accumulates to 4% of the opacity to maintain measurement accuracy.
During the standard gas calibration on July 31, 2023, for emission stack P501, the nitrogen oxides at low concentrations showed an audit result of 13.35%, approaching the upper limit of the performance specifications. A follow-up audit on August 25, 2023, indicated a persistently high result (11.84%). The plant was advised to conduct a linear calibration to ensure the accuracy of the monitoring facility and prevent exceeding performance standards. Other pipelines showed improvements compared to the results from 2021-2022, and the plant and maintenance providers were informed of the facility's current status at the end of the audit.
In the audit of Zero/Span offset, in Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation Sin-gung Plant, the Nitrogen oxides span offset test of Pipeline P101 was a low -2.39 % which was close to the range of standard error ±3%. The correction of the day and the day before were both positive errors. Chia Hui Power Company, the emission flow zero offset of Pipeline P002 was a high 2.21 % . We informed the plant and the instrument maintenance company of the audit result and suggested they check whether there was a blockage of the pipeline or an offset of the equipment’s linearity and make improvements.
(二)CEMS Connection Data Audit
Daily Transmission Status: On July 10, 2023, Chia Hui Power Company experienced a transmission system anomaly, failing to transmit daily report data by 1:00 PM the following day (1 instance of non-transmission). However, all other plants complied with the requirement of transmitting data by 1:00 PM on the next day.
Monthly Transmission Status: For emission stack P001 at Nan Ya Plastics Corporation Chiayi Plant, the monitoring record report for December of the year 2022 was not transmitted by the required date of January 15, 2023. Legal actions were taken as per regulations. However, the monthly transmission status for all other plants met the requirement of uploading data before the 15th of the following month.
(三)Manual monitoring station’s operating and correcting functions
For the 7 manual air quality monitoring stations in the jurisdiction, monthly TSP and dust fall sampling and maintenance calibration work are performed. The calibration equipment used has completed the retrospective first-level flow calibration. Calibration operations are required every season and before and after sampling.
(四)Monitoring and Test in Chun-yang Industrial Park
For the monitoring system in Chun-yang Industrial Park, steel bottles were replaced and cleaned and real-time monitoring from the system was conducted regularly on a monthly basis. Besides, all-day monitoring car inspections for air quality were done in civil centres of Ma-liao Villiage, Taibao City and San-chien village, Sin-gung Township on 20 & 21 March, 8 & 9 June, 25 & 26 September, 7&8 November. of the monitoring was all by the air quality standard.
(五)Noise Pollution Monitoring
Conducted 12 rounds of aircraft noise monitoring operations. Except for the three village activity centers in Sin-gung Township, which comply with the first-level aircraft noise prevention zone delineation principles (already classified as a first-level aircraft noise prevention zone), the results at other monitoring points did not meet the criteria for the first-level aircraft noise prevention zone.
Carried out 41 joint inspection operations with the police and motor vehicle offices, inspecting a total of 1,861 vehicles. Among these, 4 vehicles were found to have exhaust pipes that were arbitrarily changed to non-inspected qualified ones. Immediate measures were taken under Article 8 of the Noise Control Act. Additionally, 145 vehicles suspected of causing noise were inspected, resulting in 30 vehicles failing the test. A notice was issued for 14 vehicles with abnormal conditions, resulting in a non-compliance rate of 21%.
Conducted 75 acoustic cameras for enforcement operations with technology targeting roads that have been frequently complained about by residents or areas with high-noise vehicle activities. Except for Section 135 in Jhongpu Township, no further complaints have been received in other areas, indicating the deterrent effect of the acoustic camera. For sections with persistent complaints, continuous enforcement measures are planned to maintain a peaceful residential environment.
Installed one set of fixed acoustic cameras on the signpost near Yun Shui Elementary School in Jhongpu Township (Provincial Highway 3). This aims to reduce vehicle noise disturbances and uphold community tranquility.
Collaborated with the Environmental Protection Bureau to plan and install the acoustic camera enforcement signs, aiming to deter and reduce noise disturbance incidents. A total of 3 regional installation operations have been completed.
(六)Indoor Air Quality Management
During the indoor air quality inspection patrol, the real-time carbon dioxide concentration in Leng-O Tourism Factory and Pin-O Tourism Factory exceeded 1,000 ppm. However, indoor air quality in other locations was found to be satisfactory. Preliminary and simple improvement suggestions were provided for places with poor air quality, such as maintaining constant air circulation or enhancing ventilation. Recommendations included installing exhaust fans to increase air convection, facilitating the flow of indoor and outdoor air and reducing carbon dioxide concentration. During the follow-up inspections in the second half of the year, improvements were observed.
Conducted inspections using the standard method for indoor air quality announcement in a total of 7 locations. The results at each location met the indoor air quality standards, and guidance was provided to locations applying for self-management certification. The Jia Yi County Private Kai-O Elderly Care Center showed elevated bacteria concentrations. A follow-up inspection on October 18 revealed a significant reduction, with the highest bacteria concentration at 316 CFU/m3 compared to the previous highest value of 1,417 CFU/m3, indicating notable improvement.
In the promotion of self-management certification, all 16 publicly announced locations within the jurisdiction obtained the right to use the certification. Additionally, 17 non-publicly announced locations acquired the certification, including 8 social welfare institutions, 3 kindergartens, 2 postpartum care facilities, 1 medical institution, 1 airport, 1 performance hall, and 1 art museum.
