Formosa Plastics Group rejects allegation of its naphtha cracker behind recent surge of PM2.5 pollutants

28-Sep-15

Formosa Plastics Group yesterday rejected an allegation that its naphtha cracker in Yunlin County’s Mailiao Township was responsible for behind a recent surge of PM2.5 pollutants in central Taiwan, laying the blame on wind and the burning of agricultural waste, as per Taipei Times. Levels of PM2.5 - airborne pollutants measuring less than 2.5 micrometers, in Nantou County, Taichung and Yunlin earlier this week reached “red levels,” at which point there is a greater risk of health problems for sensitive groups-those with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular diseases and senior citizens. The PM2.5 reading in Yunlin’s Lunbei Township was 79 micrograms per cubic meter, which was more than twice the national daily average of 35 micrograms per cubic meter, leading the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) to issue a recommendation that lasted until yesterday for residents to avoid outdoor activities. The company said that nationwide PM2.5 levels were elevated, and that even an observation station in Taipei’s Yangmingshan National Park recorded excessive PM2.5 levels, suggesting that climate was a principal factor and that the naptha cracker was not a major contributor to air pollution.