Taiwan is taking a significant step towards cleaner air by tightening its regulations on PM2.5, a dangerous air pollutant linked to lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses. The new standard will set the maximum permissible concentration of PM2.5 at 12 μg/m³, a reduction from the current limit of 15 μg/m³.

This policy change is backed by an eight-year research study conducted by the National Health Research Institutes. The study’s findings confirm the negative health impacts of PM2.5 exposure, highlighting the urgency to curb air pollution levels.

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter. These tiny particles can easily penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and aggravating respiratory problems. Air pollution sources include vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and other human-made factors.

Taiwan’s stricter PM2.5 standards align with a global trend of countries prioritizing stricter air quality regulations to safeguard public health. The US EPA recently strengthened the annual health-based national ambient air quality standard for fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) from a level of 12 μg/m³ to 9 μg/m³ and the European Union slashed annual limits for PM2.5, dropping from 25 µg/m³ to 10 µg/m³. By implementing these changes, Taiwan demonstrates its commitment to ensuring cleaner air for its citizens and hopefully more Asian countries will follow.