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Better
Air Quality
Air
pollution is a high priority for the EPD and in 2001 we continued
to put much effort into reducing reliance on diesel vehicles and
controlling pollution from the remaining diesels.
Monitoring
The
EPD monitors air quality at 14 fixed stations. In 2001, 9 stations
met the long-term Air Quality Objectives for all pollutants. As
for short-term Air Quality Objectives, the number of instances the
Air Pollution Index reading exceeded 100 at these stations has dropped
by 45 per cent since 1999. The concentrations of two diesel-related
pollutants, respirable particulates and nitrogen oxides, at roadside
level have dropped by 8 per cent and 11 per cent respectively since
1999. The decrease would have been greater had it not been for two
unusual weather events. A severe dust storm blew in from the Mainland
in March, pushing up particulate levels, and Typhoon Nari hovered
near Taiwan for two weeks in September, creating stationary weather
conditions here that enabled pollution levels to rise.
Motor Vehicle Pollution
Our
programme to switch all taxis to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by
early 2007 has made good progress and about 80 per cent of taxis
have made the switch. A trial on LPG and electricity for public
light buses was completed successfully in 2001, and the government
is consulting the trade on financial incentives for operators to
make the switch.
Photo
of Smoke test using dynamometer
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