Clipping Board » Environmental Pollution & Change ─ How dirty the human heart is, how dirty the environment will be...
October 3, 2012 [Liberty Times Reporters Xie Fengqiu and Liu Liren]
Five years ago, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) detected leaks in the impermeable lining of the Shenkang District waste landfill in Taichung City. The Taichung City Environmental Protection Bureau has yet to take effective remedial action. Since 2009, groundwater tests have consistently detected arsenic, with levels at times exceeding drinking water standards. In 2010, the levels even surpassed irrigation water standards (five times the drinking water limit). City councilors have harshly criticized the city government for being "indifferent and unfeeling."
**Long-term consumption poses risks of Blackfoot disease and cancer**
Hung Dong-rong, director of the Toxicology Department at China Medical University Hospital, pointed out that arsenic levels in groundwater exceeding drinking and irrigation water standards indicate dangerously high concentrations. Long-term consumption increases the risk of Blackfoot disease, as arsenic can cause insufficient blood supply and blockages in peripheral blood vessels, leading to limb gangrene that requires surgical amputation. It also raises the risk of hypertension, metabolic disorders, and cancer.
Democratic Progressive Party Taichung City Councilor Liao Shuzhen criticized the situation, noting that over 170,000 people in Taichung still rely on groundwater, particularly frugal farming families near the landfill. Even if they have tap water installed, many continue using groundwater out of habit. She found it unbelievable that the Environmental Protection Bureau would allow leakage contaminants to pollute the groundwater unchecked.
In 2007, the EPA introduced a new landfill leakage monitoring system, implemented at the Shenkang and Changhua County Hemei landfills. In 2008, monitoring results revealed several breaches in Shenkang’s impermeable lining. By 2009, the EPA instructed the Environmental Protection Bureau to monitor water quality, and that same year, monitoring wells upstream and downstream of the landfill detected arsenic levels exceeding drinking water standards (0.01 ppm).
In 2010, quarterly tests by the Environmental Protection Bureau showed arsenic levels fluctuating between 0.0023 and 0.0709 ppm, even surpassing irrigation water standards (0.05 ppm). In 2011, levels slightly decreased to 0.0024–0.0071 ppm, and in the first two quarters of this year, they ranged from 0.0025 to 0.032 ppm.
Chen Xianheng, head of the EPA’s Inspection Task Force, stated that after discovering leaks at the Shenkang landfill, the site was immediately closed and underwent restoration until February 2010. Test results showed no groundwater contamination. However, Luo Yongzhen, the last township chief of Shenkang and now a city councilor, pointed out that the first phase of the landfill’s restoration in 2009 was only half-completed, and water quality monitoring was conducted by the local Environmental Protection Bureau.
**Taichung City Government: Landfill at capacity, restoration planned for next year**
Jiang Mingshan, head of the Water and Soil Protection Division of the Taichung City Environmental Protection Bureau, explained that no other heavy metals exceeding standards were detected in the monitoring wells. He noted that background levels of arsenic in soil and groundwater often approach or even exceed drinking water standards, making it impossible to directly attribute the excess arsenic to the landfill’s lining leaks. Additionally, groundwater arsenic levels must exceed 0.5 ppm before measures like sealing nearby wells are taken, and the current levels have not reached that threshold.
Shi Fengjun, head of the Environmental Engineering Division, stated that the landfill is now at capacity, and restoration with soil cover is planned for next year. The Environmental Facilities Division has allocated NT$2 million to commission the Engineering Division to address leakage issues. However, the exact extent of the leaks and whether the leaked substances are hazardous can only be determined through excavation.
Tsai Chih-hao, secretary-general of the Taiwan Ecology Society, criticized Taichung’s ineffective regulation of industrial waste, noting that arsenic and heavy metal waste are often mixed with household garbage and buried or incinerated. He warned that the public and future generations will bear the consequences of this negligence.
**Background: The toxicity of arsenic**
Arsenic primarily exists in nature as sulfides, particularly arsenic trioxide, a highly toxic substance also known as white arsenic. It is colorless, odorless, and highly soluble in water. Arsenic and its compounds are widely used in industry and agriculture—as pesticides, rodenticides, and molluscicides in farming, and as disinfectants, preservatives, and decolorizing agents in industrial production.Arsenic-containing wastewater, pesticides, and smoke dust can contaminate soil and groundwater. Arsenic accumulates in the soil and can enter crops, subsequently entering the human body through water, air, and food, posing health risks. Acute arsenic poisoning incidents or chronic arsenic poisoning are not uncommon, with the most well-known example being "Blackfoot Disease."
Source: Taiwan Blackfoot Disease Medical Memorial Museum, Medical Encyclopedia
Compiled by: Reporter Xie Fengqiu
**Groundwater Contamination Incidents in Taichung City Over the Past Two Years**
- **October 2012**
The Taichung Environmental Protection Bureau admitted that since 2009, arsenic had been detected in the monitoring wells of the Shengang Landfill.
- **July 2011**
Trichloroethylene was detected in groundwater wells near the Xitun plant of AIDC (Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation).
- **2010**
Twelve groundwater wells in Beitun and Tanzi were found to contain trichloroethylene levels exceeding drinking water standards. In April 2011, the source of contamination was traced to the Taichung Export Processing Zone in Tanzi.
Prepared by: Reporter Xie Fengqiu
Source: [http://tw. news. yahoo. com](http://tw. news. yahoo. com)
Taichung Shengang Landfill Leak: Groundwater Arsenic Levels Exceeded
Five years ago, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) detected leaks in the impermeable lining of the Shenkang District waste landfill in Taichung City. The Taichung City Environmental Protection Bureau has yet to take effective remedial action. Since 2009, groundwater tests have consistently detected arsenic, with levels at times exceeding drinking water standards. In 2010, the levels even surpassed irrigation water standards (five times the drinking water limit). City councilors have harshly criticized the city government for being "indifferent and unfeeling."
**Long-term consumption poses risks of Blackfoot disease and cancer**
Hung Dong-rong, director of the Toxicology Department at China Medical University Hospital, pointed out that arsenic levels in groundwater exceeding drinking and irrigation water standards indicate dangerously high concentrations. Long-term consumption increases the risk of Blackfoot disease, as arsenic can cause insufficient blood supply and blockages in peripheral blood vessels, leading to limb gangrene that requires surgical amputation. It also raises the risk of hypertension, metabolic disorders, and cancer.
Democratic Progressive Party Taichung City Councilor Liao Shuzhen criticized the situation, noting that over 170,000 people in Taichung still rely on groundwater, particularly frugal farming families near the landfill. Even if they have tap water installed, many continue using groundwater out of habit. She found it unbelievable that the Environmental Protection Bureau would allow leakage contaminants to pollute the groundwater unchecked.
In 2007, the EPA introduced a new landfill leakage monitoring system, implemented at the Shenkang and Changhua County Hemei landfills. In 2008, monitoring results revealed several breaches in Shenkang’s impermeable lining. By 2009, the EPA instructed the Environmental Protection Bureau to monitor water quality, and that same year, monitoring wells upstream and downstream of the landfill detected arsenic levels exceeding drinking water standards (0.01 ppm).
In 2010, quarterly tests by the Environmental Protection Bureau showed arsenic levels fluctuating between 0.0023 and 0.0709 ppm, even surpassing irrigation water standards (0.05 ppm). In 2011, levels slightly decreased to 0.0024–0.0071 ppm, and in the first two quarters of this year, they ranged from 0.0025 to 0.032 ppm.
Chen Xianheng, head of the EPA’s Inspection Task Force, stated that after discovering leaks at the Shenkang landfill, the site was immediately closed and underwent restoration until February 2010. Test results showed no groundwater contamination. However, Luo Yongzhen, the last township chief of Shenkang and now a city councilor, pointed out that the first phase of the landfill’s restoration in 2009 was only half-completed, and water quality monitoring was conducted by the local Environmental Protection Bureau.
**Taichung City Government: Landfill at capacity, restoration planned for next year**
Jiang Mingshan, head of the Water and Soil Protection Division of the Taichung City Environmental Protection Bureau, explained that no other heavy metals exceeding standards were detected in the monitoring wells. He noted that background levels of arsenic in soil and groundwater often approach or even exceed drinking water standards, making it impossible to directly attribute the excess arsenic to the landfill’s lining leaks. Additionally, groundwater arsenic levels must exceed 0.5 ppm before measures like sealing nearby wells are taken, and the current levels have not reached that threshold.
Shi Fengjun, head of the Environmental Engineering Division, stated that the landfill is now at capacity, and restoration with soil cover is planned for next year. The Environmental Facilities Division has allocated NT$2 million to commission the Engineering Division to address leakage issues. However, the exact extent of the leaks and whether the leaked substances are hazardous can only be determined through excavation.
Tsai Chih-hao, secretary-general of the Taiwan Ecology Society, criticized Taichung’s ineffective regulation of industrial waste, noting that arsenic and heavy metal waste are often mixed with household garbage and buried or incinerated. He warned that the public and future generations will bear the consequences of this negligence.
**Background: The toxicity of arsenic**
Arsenic primarily exists in nature as sulfides, particularly arsenic trioxide, a highly toxic substance also known as white arsenic. It is colorless, odorless, and highly soluble in water. Arsenic and its compounds are widely used in industry and agriculture—as pesticides, rodenticides, and molluscicides in farming, and as disinfectants, preservatives, and decolorizing agents in industrial production.Arsenic-containing wastewater, pesticides, and smoke dust can contaminate soil and groundwater. Arsenic accumulates in the soil and can enter crops, subsequently entering the human body through water, air, and food, posing health risks. Acute arsenic poisoning incidents or chronic arsenic poisoning are not uncommon, with the most well-known example being "Blackfoot Disease."
Source: Taiwan Blackfoot Disease Medical Memorial Museum, Medical Encyclopedia
Compiled by: Reporter Xie Fengqiu
**Groundwater Contamination Incidents in Taichung City Over the Past Two Years**
- **October 2012**
The Taichung Environmental Protection Bureau admitted that since 2009, arsenic had been detected in the monitoring wells of the Shengang Landfill.
- **July 2011**
Trichloroethylene was detected in groundwater wells near the Xitun plant of AIDC (Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation).
- **2010**
Twelve groundwater wells in Beitun and Tanzi were found to contain trichloroethylene levels exceeding drinking water standards. In April 2011, the source of contamination was traced to the Taichung Export Processing Zone in Tanzi.
Prepared by: Reporter Xie Fengqiu
Source: [http://tw. news. yahoo. com](http://tw. news. yahoo. com)