Rapid industrialization in Taiwan has brought with it the inevitable bane of advanced countries everywhere--pollution. Improved living standards associated with the economic advance have made matters worse by increasing the number of motor vehicles. The problem, to a greater or lesser extent, seems to have reached every corner of this still beautiful island, and even scenic spots have not been spared.

The establishment in January this year of an Environmental Protection Bureau under the Health Department of the Executive Yuan is a sign that while the government is actively promoting economic development, it is also paying attention to improving the quality of the environment, and thereby the quality of life.

The bureau, formed out of an office of the Health Department, has taken on responsibilities which were formerly spread among several government agencies. Chief of the bureau, Chuang Ching-yuan, recruited a number of enthusiastic young specialists, many with masters' and doctors' degrees.

In the past, environmental protection work in Taiwan has come in for much criticism for its lack of results. Mr. Chuang said this was mainly because of a lack of qualified personnel, as shown by the fact that until recently, there were only three people available to inspect some 2,000 factories. Lack of funds at the moment has confined the bureau's work to cleaning up the environment; beautification will have to wait until later. Mr. Chuang noted that in an agricultural society, the biggest threat to health is from contagious diseases such as tuberculosis, typhoid and gastrointestinal ailments. The improved medical care available in an industrial society has virtually eliminated these diseases, but other formerly rare diseases, such as cancer, heart problems and mental disorders have multiplied. The job of the Environmental Protection Bureau, Chuang said, is to remove things harmful to human health from the environment.

The highest level of the bureau is a central government organ responsible for planning policy coordination and drafting laws for submission to the legislature. Soon, environmental protection bodies will be attached to each county to carry out work assigned by the bureau. Eventually, 10 to 15 officers will be appointed in each county, enough to ensure at least an encouraging start to environmental clean-up work.

The most serious problem in Taiwan's cities at the moment is air pollution from factories (in Kaohsiung) and motor vehicles (in Taipei.) The bureau's first step in tackling this problem was to revise the regulations so they fitted in with present-day needs. The bureau has already ruled that lower grades of diesel fuel cannot be used in Taipei and Kaohsiung, and is discussing with the Chinese Petroleum Corp. the idea of phasing out low-quality fossil fuels altogether. At the same time, drivers of vehicles with excessive emissions of black smoke are being prosecuted.

The most serious form of water pollution comes from factories, since it often contains many dangerous chemicals. Government statistics show that over the past three years, agriculture and fisheries have lost NT$3.4 billion (US$85 million) through water pollution, and the consumption of contaminated food poses a long-term health hazard. Revisions to the law governing water pollution are expected to be passed by the legislature in September, after which the bureau will be authorized to seek out offenders and impose severe penalties.

In the densely populated cities of Taiwan, noise pollution is becoming an increasingly serious problem. A recent government survey showed that the noise level on the busy road in front of Taipei Railway Station is often more than 76 decibels, while in half of the city, the level is a high 70 decibels. A comprehensive series of laws will soon be enforced stipulating maximum permissible noise levels in different zones, with jurisdiction covering vehicles, factories and even airplanes.

With almost 20 million people living on an island with an area of only 35,000 square kilometers, garbage d Taiwan. More than 80 percent of garbage is dumped or buried in the countryside, although this method has long been considered unsuitable. The bureau is therefore in the process of examining alternative methods of garbage disposal.

[Picture Caption]

Bureau chief Chuang believes that the main priority is to create a healthy environment.

Many young experts have entered the ranks of the bureau. 1. Su Ching-feng has a Taiwan National University Masters degree in hygiene and now works on noise pollution prevention. 2. Wang Chun-yuan, also a hygiene major from the NTU, works on general hygiene matters. 3. Fang Shu-hui works on preventing air pollution. 4. NTU agricultural science graduate, Fang Yu-lan, helps to draft environmental protection regulations. 5. Li Tsong-sung is a returned overseas Chinese scholar now engaged in inspection work.

Left: Factories are a major source of air and water pollution, and for this reason, they will be the focus of the bureau's activities.

Left: Cars not only pollute the air, but are also noisy. Right: The decibel meter in front of the Taipei Railway Station shows the high noise levels.

Su Ching-feng has a Taiwan National University Masters degree in hygiene and now works on noise pollution prevention.

王俊淵也是台大公共衛生碩士,擔任一般環境衛生工作。.

Fang Shu-hui works on preventing air pollution.

NTU agricultural science graduate, Fang Yu-lan, helps to draft environmental protection regulations.

Li Tsong-sung is a returned overseas Chinese scholar now engaged in inspection work.

Factories are a major source of air and water pollution, and for this reason, they will be the focus of the bureau's activities.

Cars not only pollute the air, but are also noisy.

The decibel meter in front of the Taipei Railway Station shows the high noise levels.