Dioxin in Taiwan

[Vergil Bushnell <vbushnell@essential.org>(by way of Neil Tangri <ntangri@essential.org>)]

Here's an interesting article about the extent of incinerator-related
dioxin pollution in Taiwan.

The results of the study mentioned in this article come at a time
when Taiwan is aggressively attempting to increase its reliance on
incineration. 

Sincerely,

Vergil Bushnell

Central News Agency
HEADLINE: TAIWAN'S INCINERATORS SAID TO BE RELEASING HIGH LEVELS OF DIOXIN 
BYLINE: By Lilian Wu 
DATELINE: Taipei, Dec. 5 

   Incinerators in Taiwan have been releasing an alarmingly high level of
dioxin, a carcinogenic chemical, into the air, Professor Chang Chang-chuan
of National Taiwan University said on Sunday. 

Professor Chang made the remarks after analyzing a report by the
non-profit Environmental Quality Protection Foundation. 

Chang said that the amount of dioxin released by the five incinerators in
Taiwan is between 9.35 and 32.09 times higher than levels in the United
States. 

The five incinerators are located in Neihu and Mucha in Taipei City,
Hsintien and Hsulin in Taipei County, and Wenshan in Taichung, central
Taiwan. 

Chang said that according to the report, the biggest carcinogenic threat
comes from the oldest incinerator in Neihu, with risks 494 times higher
than those of the US. The second most dangerous incinerator is the one
located in Hsulin, with levels 189 fold higher than the US, followed by
the one in Mucha at 163 times higher, the one in Hsintien at 78 fold
higher, and in Wenshan at 42 times greater. 

Chang said that, in addition to dioxin, other carcinogenic chemicals such
as chromium and cadmium are also present in the emissions and that based
on calculations, the cancer risk is between 9.35 times and 32.09 times of
that of the US. 

The people of Taipei City's exposure to carcinogenic substances is more
than 2,000 times higher than the average exposure level of people living
in the United States, while the exposure level for people living in Taipei
County is more than 1,000 times higher than that of people living in
California.

_______________________________
Vergil Bushnell
Multinationals Resource Center

email: vbushnell@essential.org
phone: 202.387.8030
address: PO Box 19405, Washington DC 20036