Taiwan is one of the major clusters of high-technology manufacture in the world, including photovoltaic and semiconductor industries. There are various chemicals used in the industries and may cause significant pollution when discharging wastewater. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the pollution characteristics of discharged wastewater from photovoltaic and semiconductor industries. An expert panel has been set up to review the current effluent standard and regulatory measure of the characteristic pollutant in the industries. In 2006, the output values of TFT-LCD (thin-film transistor liquid-crystal displayer) and semiconductor manufacture are 66% and 53% of the total of photovoltaic and semiconductor industries, respectivel y. On the other hands, the corresponding wastewater discharge flow rates are 85% and 66% of the total of photovoltaic and semiconductor industries, respectivel y. According to the conclusion of expert panel, the study should focus on investigating the wastewater characteristic of TFT-LCD manufacture, semiconductor manufacture, and wastewater treatment plant of Science Park. The investigation revealed that ammonia-nitrogen and orthophosphate concentration in the effluent of the focusing industries are higher than most industries in Taiwan. We have recommended that effluent standard should regulate ammonia-nitrogen in priorit y, while considering the factors like consuming amount of chemicals in the focusing industries, the toxicit y, the possibility that the chemicals enter the wastewater, the wastewater treatment efficiency, the environment impact and the foreign effluent standards. Recommended regulating values of ammonia-nitrogen concentration for newly founded and already established factories are 25 and 35 mg/L, respectivel y. It is also suggested that a buffering period should be given for the already established factories to cut down of nitrogen-contained chemicals consumption, monitor the variation of ammonia-nitrogen discharge, and report to the EPA. According to the principle of “control and prevention”, it is suggested that EPA can have a contract with Science Park Administration and the relevant manufactures. The manufactures shall cut down the chemicals consumption in the processing as well as the amount discharged into wastewater. EPA will then regulate the related items of effluent standard based on the results of the reduction chemicals consumption, wastewater treatment efficiency and the effluent qualit y. It is suggested that TFT-LCD and semiconductor manufacturers (either located at inside or outside of Science Parks) shall monitor the consumed amount of major chemicals used in the processing and their discharge into the effluent. The focusing species include IPA, PGMEA, DMSO and TMAH. This will help reveal the wastewater treatment efficiency and provide sufficient background data for wastewater qualit y. Besides, due to the similar processing and wastewater production, it is also suggested that TFT-LCD manufacture should be classified into the category “wafer manufacturing, and semiconductor manufacturing industries” of the current effluent standard. This category, however, should be renamed as “wafer manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing and TFT-LCD manufacturing industries”.

Semiconductor industry, photovoltaic industry, ammonia-nitrogen