Taiwan to Trial PM0.1 Air Particle Monitoring in 2026

Government Initiatives Aim to Understand and Address Ultrafine Air Pollution

Taipei, Taiwan - In a significant move to enhance air quality monitoring, the Taiwan Ministry of Environment (MOENV) announced plans to initiate trials for ultrafine PM0.1 air particle monitoring in Taichung and Kaohsiung, commencing in 2026.

The announcement, presented in a report to the Legislative Yuan, highlights the need for a deeper understanding of PM0.1 particles, which have a diameter of 0.1 micrometers or less. Deputy Environment Minister Shen Chih-hsiu (沈志修) emphasized that these particles are currently understudied and under-monitored in Taiwan. The ministry aims to establish a comprehensive foundation for monitoring and managing these pollutants.

The MOENV has incorporated the issue into its Air Quality Policy White Paper, designating it as a key priority for air quality management over the next decade.

PM0.1 particles, approximately one-700th the width of a human hair, pose a significant health risk. Shen pointed out their ability to evade the body's defenses. The World Health Organization, in its 2021 global air quality guidelines, underscored the potential for exposure to these particles to increase the risk of systemic inflammation and cardiovascular or lung diseases.

Road traffic, aviation, shipping, industrial emissions, power plants, residential heating, and biomass burning are cited as potential sources of these ultrafine particles. Shen noted that, unlike PM2.5, PM0.1 concentrations exhibit significant variations within urban areas, fluctuating throughout the day, particularly during peak and off-peak hours.

Taiwan's existing air quality monitoring system already includes PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter.