2012-12-25 Many countries in the world have adopted new, stricter standards for particulate matter (PM) emissions from stationary sources. In addition, PM2.5 pollution is getting worse. In view of the above, the EPA has proposed revisions to put in place a stricter control on PM emissions through a stack or duct by limiting the maximum allowed value for PM2.5 to 50 mg/Nm3. It is expected that the revisions will become effective on January 1, 2013. Any factory that fails to comply with the new standards will be fined from NT$100,000 up to NT$1,000,000. It is estimated that 15% of the public or private premises with boiler installations, foundry and metal casting industries, and animal feed manufacturing industry in the county will be affected.

In order to help potentially affected industries to plan ahead and prepare for emissions control and prevention measures, Yunlin County’s EPB held an orientation meeting in the bureau’s auditorium on August 21, 2012 to explain proposed changes and describe penalties for non-compliance. The meeting was hosted by EPB Director-General Ye De-hui. A major change proposed in the revisions is the standards of PM stack emissions listed in in Table 1: “Stationary Source Air Pollutant Emissions Standards.” The outdated formula for calculating exhaust gas particulate matter concentrations [(mg/Nm3)=1860.3Q-0.386] has been simplified. The maximum allowed value for stack emissions from the process of incineration is set at 50 mg/Nm3 (new facilities) and 100 mg/Nm3 (existing facilities) for stack emissions from non-incineration processes. Director-General Ye stressed in the orientation meeting that particulate matter pollution control and prevention would be a top priority of the EPA in the next few years. Operators of both public and private premises are expected to comply with regulations as well as to join the initiatives and efforts to conserve energy and create a better living environment.