Fine particulate matters (PM2.5) with a diameter < 2.5μm have been identified to be hazardous to the environment and human respiratory system. PM2.5 was first included in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards by the U.S. EPA in 1997, followed by Canada, World Health Organization (WHO) and European Union in recognizing its impact. To address the relevant issues of PM2.5 this project is carried out to provide further information for Taiwan’s EPA regarding to future policy-making, regulatory implementation and monitoring of PM2.5. This project aims to: (1) compare the ambient air quality and future trend of PM2.5 between Taiwan and other countries; (2) develop national PM2.5 source profiles; (3) establish applicable control measures nationwide; (4) conduct a health risk assessment regarding to PM2.5; (5) formulate related socio-economic assessment tools, air quality models as well as re-modifying PM2.5 and O3 8-hour from present Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) to Air Quality Index (AQI). In the project a range of assessment and evaluation tools were suggested: the project was proposed to adopt CMAQ (Community Multiscale Air Quality) and TAQM (Taiwan Air Quality Model) as the recommended assessment tools by most experts for ambient air quality along with GTx (Gaussian Trajectory transfer-coefficient model), CAMx4 (Comprehensive Air quality Model with extentions) and TPAQM (Trajectory Photochemical Air Quality Model); the environmental economic valuation methods, U.S. REMI and BenMAP models were suggested for socio-economic assessment; and WHO’s Health Impact Assessment (HIA) was involved in assessing the potential impacts and health risks. An emission profile was developed with a significant quantity of PM2.5 identified from on-road vehicles, road dust and heavy industries in Taiwan through the use of EPA’s TEDS 6.1 model and the national PM2.5 emission coefficient currently available. The findings suggested that major PM2.5 sources have been found as SO42- in stationary electricity energy emissions, elementary carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) from mobile sources, and Al, Fe and Ca from fugitive sources. 20.4% and 14.2% of mortality rates in lung cancer and cardiopulmonary diseases respectively could be avoided when mitigated the level of PM2.5 down to 15μg/m3, saving an estimate NT$ 410 million dollars of medical expenditures. Finally, a new PM2.5 level-65μg/m3 and O3 8-hour-80 ppb were determined to warn particular “sensitive” population group such as children, older adults and people with asthma with online information shown on EPA website with real-time ambient air quality monitoring. This project has produced both the short- and middle-term development stages, which involves necessary emissions inventory to be completed around 2008-2010, evaluation tools for 2011-2012, an ambient air quality standard in 2013-2014 and regulatory implementation by 2012.

Fine Particulate Matter(PM2.5), AQI(Air Quality Index), Control Measures, IES