Ambient Vehicular Pollutants in the Urban Area of Taipei: Comparing Normal with Anomalous Vehicle Emissions

Abstract

Continuous ambient monitoring data of major air pollutants such as CO, NOx and NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbons) for the 1994–2001 period were analysed to establish the relationship between patterns of vehicular emitting species and vehicular emissions in the urban area of Taipei. These characteristics are consistent with measurements in London and Athens, indicating that vehicular emissions are a major contributing factor to air pollution in Taipei. Sensitivity studies relating ambient air pollution to vehicular emissions in the urban area of Taipei were performed and further examined by analysing some special events where the city’s overall vehicle usage were at their extremes. Analysis of ambient measurements during the passing of Typhoon Nari shows very low levels of CO (0.3–0.4 ppmv), NOx (5–10 ppbv) and NMHC (0.01–0.05 ppmv), with no well-defined daily patterns. The measurements during Typhoon Nari were compared with measurements during the Chinese New Year and during Typhoon Herb. All analyses show distinctive low pollution periods surrounded by elevated trace gas concentrations, initiated by normal working practices. This revealed the severe impact of vehicle exhaust emissions on air pollution levels in Taipei City. Further impacts from vehicles were examined by comparing the post-Nari measurements with those before the arrival of the typhoon and comparing these data with a photochemical modelling system. It was found that as high as 15 ppmv of CO, 250 ppbv of NOx and 2.5 ppmv of NMHC were measured during the day time, with about a 50% increase in ambient vehicular pollutants in the first 2 days after the passing of Typhoon Nari. Implications for pollution related impacts on human health within Taipei are noted.