Clipping Board » Environmental Pollution & Change ─ How dirty the human heart is, how dirty the environment will be...
Update Date: 2008/09/07 04:09
Sandstorm Hits Taiwan, Dioxin Levels Two to Three Times Higher Than Usual
[Reporter Zhong Lihua / Taipei Report]
The sandstorm from China not only carries pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and fungi, but scholars have also discovered that it contains the "century poison" dioxin. During the sandstorm, the concentration of dioxin in the air increases by two to three times compared to normal levels. Additionally, the northeast monsoon, which follows a similar path to the sandstorm, also carries dioxin.
Professor Zhang Mubin from the Environmental Engineering Institute of Central University and postdoctoral researcher Ji Kaixian from the Research Center for Environmental Changes at Academia Sinica conducted observations at the Fugui Cape coast in Taipei County, the Central Weather Bureau, and Central University during three sandstorms from China in January and April of last year and March of this year. Their findings are alarming.
The study found that the usual concentration of dioxin in the atmosphere is only 20 to 30 femtograms (fg, also known as "millifemtograms," or 10^-15 grams) per cubic meter in toxic equivalents. During the sandstorm, the concentration peaked at 79.8 fg. Ji Kaixian explained that as the sandstorm arrives, the concentration of suspended particles increases, and it is expected that the concentration of dioxin within them would rise. When measured per gram of sand, the dioxin concentration ranges between 25% to 40%.
Ji Kaixian pointed out that the sandstorm originates from the Gobi Desert in China. While the sand itself does not contain other pollutants, the sand blowing toward Taiwan passes through the southeastern coastal provinces of China. In recent years, the electronic waste processing industry has flourished in Guangdong and Zhejiang, where the concentration of dioxin in the air can reach 51,200 fg. In contrast, the sandstorms that affect South Korea and Japan, which come from Shandong, are less polluted, and local studies have not found significant amounts of dioxin.
The northeast monsoon, which blows over Taiwan, follows a similar path to the Chinese sandstorm. Ji Kaixian suspects that the northeast monsoon also brings dioxin. This year, he began researching this hypothesis, and the data collected so far supports it, though more data from this winter is still needed. Ji Kaixian noted that sandstorms hit Taiwan for a maximum of 10 to 20 days a year, with each wave lasting only 12 to 24 hours. However, the northeast monsoon lasts from October to February each year, potentially causing more severe impacts than the sandstorms.
In recent years, Taiwan has frequently reported cases of dioxin-contaminated sheep, cows, and even duck eggs, with some pollution sources still unidentified. Ji Kaixian believes that the pollution may originate from China, but further research is needed to confirm this.
Dioxin is a carcinogen and can easily cause birth defects.
Dr. Lin Jieliang, director of the Clinical Toxicology Department at Linkou Chang Gung Hospital, stated that dioxin is a carcinogen. Therefore, during sandstorms, it is best for people to wear masks or avoid going outside. Pregnant women, in particular, should be cautious, as dioxin is also a teratogenic substance that can be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta, leading to premature birth and miscarriage.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 080907/ 78/ 15gxq. html
Northeast Monsoon and Chinese Dust Containing Dioxins
Sandstorm Hits Taiwan, Dioxin Levels Two to Three Times Higher Than Usual
[Reporter Zhong Lihua / Taipei Report]
The sandstorm from China not only carries pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and fungi, but scholars have also discovered that it contains the "century poison" dioxin. During the sandstorm, the concentration of dioxin in the air increases by two to three times compared to normal levels. Additionally, the northeast monsoon, which follows a similar path to the sandstorm, also carries dioxin.
Professor Zhang Mubin from the Environmental Engineering Institute of Central University and postdoctoral researcher Ji Kaixian from the Research Center for Environmental Changes at Academia Sinica conducted observations at the Fugui Cape coast in Taipei County, the Central Weather Bureau, and Central University during three sandstorms from China in January and April of last year and March of this year. Their findings are alarming.
The study found that the usual concentration of dioxin in the atmosphere is only 20 to 30 femtograms (fg, also known as "millifemtograms," or 10^-15 grams) per cubic meter in toxic equivalents. During the sandstorm, the concentration peaked at 79.8 fg. Ji Kaixian explained that as the sandstorm arrives, the concentration of suspended particles increases, and it is expected that the concentration of dioxin within them would rise. When measured per gram of sand, the dioxin concentration ranges between 25% to 40%.
Ji Kaixian pointed out that the sandstorm originates from the Gobi Desert in China. While the sand itself does not contain other pollutants, the sand blowing toward Taiwan passes through the southeastern coastal provinces of China. In recent years, the electronic waste processing industry has flourished in Guangdong and Zhejiang, where the concentration of dioxin in the air can reach 51,200 fg. In contrast, the sandstorms that affect South Korea and Japan, which come from Shandong, are less polluted, and local studies have not found significant amounts of dioxin.
The northeast monsoon, which blows over Taiwan, follows a similar path to the Chinese sandstorm. Ji Kaixian suspects that the northeast monsoon also brings dioxin. This year, he began researching this hypothesis, and the data collected so far supports it, though more data from this winter is still needed. Ji Kaixian noted that sandstorms hit Taiwan for a maximum of 10 to 20 days a year, with each wave lasting only 12 to 24 hours. However, the northeast monsoon lasts from October to February each year, potentially causing more severe impacts than the sandstorms.
In recent years, Taiwan has frequently reported cases of dioxin-contaminated sheep, cows, and even duck eggs, with some pollution sources still unidentified. Ji Kaixian believes that the pollution may originate from China, but further research is needed to confirm this.
Dioxin is a carcinogen and can easily cause birth defects.
Dr. Lin Jieliang, director of the Clinical Toxicology Department at Linkou Chang Gung Hospital, stated that dioxin is a carcinogen. Therefore, during sandstorms, it is best for people to wear masks or avoid going outside. Pregnant women, in particular, should be cautious, as dioxin is also a teratogenic substance that can be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta, leading to premature birth and miscarriage.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 080907/ 78/ 15gxq. html