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    The members of the Control Yuan, Wang Yu-ling, Yang Fang-wan, Bau Tzong-ho, and Chiang Ming-tsang visited Nantou County on July 9 for an inspection. They were accompanied by Deputy County Magistrate Chen Zheng-sheng of the Puli Township Office to listen to the proposals for air pollution prevention, cardiopulmonary X-ray health examination, and other briefings. Deputy County Magistrate Chen expected that the members of the Control Yuan can urge the central government to take countermeasures to effectively improve the air pollution caused by PM2.5. Wang Yu-ling further explained that the opinions collected during this inspection will be provided as references to the Executive Yuan.

    Deputy County Magistrate Chen said that Nantou does not have heavy industrial areas, however, its geographical location is between the central thermal station and Yunlin Naphtha Cracking Plant, and has been affected in recent years by the surrounding pollutants. Puli Township and Zhushan Township have suffered from PM2.5. Unfortunately, Puli is more likely to accumulate air pollutants due to the terrain of the basin, thus the deterioration of PM2.5 becomes serious. According to the research data, 60%-70% of the regular root causes of air pollution in this county are mainly from the external environment, which cause public health hazards. Mr. Chen expected that the central government and Taipower can suit a remedy to the case and seek a correct and reasonable solution together.

    Deputy County Magistrate Chen also pointed out that in order to improve the air quality in the county, the Environmental Protection Bureau, Nantou County Government has actively promoted a number of prevention and control measures to improve air quality in recent years, such as the replacement of old two-stroke vehicles, the use of e-systems, and the use of UAVs in supporting inspections. This year, the conversion of boiler fuel from heavy oil or raw coal to natural gas will be the primary goal in order to reduce emissions from the primary pollutants.

    The Director of the Public Health Bureau, Huang Chao-lang, considered that from the perspective of public health, to manage the root cause is the most important way to improve air quality. Blocking the root cause of pollution is the most effective way to solve PM2.5. The county government not only delivers the impact of PM2.5 on health, advocates self-protection measures to both the public and highly sensitive people, but also budgets annually from 2016 to implement cardiopulmonary X-ray health examinations. The found cases of abnormal cardiopulmonary diseases will be referred to the thoracic department or other departments for continuous tracking. The bureau’s mission is to maintain the health of the residents of the county.

    The four members of the Control Yuan are also concerned about the progress of Fuxing Hot Spring construction and the implementation of long-term care. Deputy County Magistrate Chen and the Township Mayor, Mr. Chou, mentioned the issues of funds allocation and urban-rural disparity. Members are requested to invite the central government to discuss the topics mentioned and to improve the financial difficulties in those remote areas in order to improve the overall local development.