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Upper authorities have tightly controlled local budgets, especially at the administrative township level. Taiwan has been facing this particular phenomenon for a long period. This article explains how a township, before general elections, sees the choice of an improved environmental administrative work plan as a political advantage and uses simple and easy-to-use collective decision-making to assist. Then, survey residents' perceptions of implementing the new environmental policy. The research results are discussed not only as suggestions to improve the effectiveness of township public environmental policies and to respond to the needs of civilians appropriately but also to lead future research directions., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Kuo-Yan Wang et al.)

A growing number of biological studies suggest that exogenous sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) at a certain concentration may promote human resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, the results of most relevant studies are inconsistent, and few studies have explored the relationship between SO 2 exposure and tuberculosis risk at provincial level. In addition, occupational exposure has long been considered to have a certain impact on the human body, so for the first time, we discussed the differences between different occupations in the study on the relationship between air pollutant exposure and tuberculosis risk, and evaluated the impact of occupational exposure. This study aimed to explore the association between short-term SO 2 exposure and the risk of outpatient visits to tuberculosis in Anhui province and 16 prefecture-level cities from 2015 to 2020. We used several models for multi-stage analysis, including distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM), Poisson generalized linear regression model, and random-effects model. The association was assessed using the 28-day cumulative lag effect RR and 95%CI for each 10-unit increase in SO 2 concentration. We divided all patients into the following six occupations: Worker, Farmer, Retired people, Children and Students, Cadre and Office clerk, and Service staff (catering, business, etc.). Sex, age, and season were analyzed by subgroup. Finally, the robustness of the multi-pollutant model was tested. At provincial level, the overall effect value of SO 2 was RR=0.8191 (95%CI: 07702~0.8712); after grouping all patients by occupation, the association found only among Farmers (RR = 0.7150, 95%CI: 0.6699-0.7632, lag 0-28 days) and Workers (RR = 0.8566, 95%CI: 0.7930-0.9930, lag 0-4 days) was still statistically significant. Estimates for individual cities and using random-effects models to estimate average associations showed that SO 2 exposure was associated with a reduced risk of outpatient TB visits in 14 municipalities, which remained significant when aggregated (RR = 0.9030, 95%CI: 0.8730-0.9340). Analysis of patients grouped by occupation in each municipality showed that statistical significance was again observed only in the Farmer (RR = 0.8880, 95%CI: 0.8610-0.9160) and Worker (RR = 0.8250, 95%CI: 0.7290-0.9340) groups. Stratified analysis of age, sex, and season showed that the effect of SO 2 exposure was greater for middle-aged people (18-64 years old) and males, and less for seasonal changes. In summary, we found that exposure to SO 2 reduces the risk of outpatient visits to tuberculosis, with farmers and workers more susceptible to SO 2 . Gender and age had a greater impact on the risk of TB outpatient visits than seasonal variations., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Although Taipei City has encountered a fall in ambient air pollutant levels since 1996, the year its mass rapid transit (MRT) system commenced operation, no apparent study investigated changes in risks of death attributed to respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular diseases in Taipei during this 23-year period. In order to examine the relationship between MRT and occurrence of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses attributed to air contaminants, exposure over the 23 year duration was subdivided into the following periods: reference period 1 (1992-1995); period 2 (1996-2004), a time when there was a total track length of 67 km; period 3 (2005-2015), when the total track length was lengthened to 131.1 km; and period 4 (2016-2020), when it was further extended to 146.2 km. Taichung City, no MRT system, was used as an external reference population. The effect of Taipei's MRT system on rates of cause-specific death rates was analyzed using robust generalized Poisson regression models. After adjusting for age-standardized rates (ASRs), a decrease in relative risks (RRs) was found for non-trauma death and respiratory disease from periods 2 to 4. Even though the RRs were greater than 1.0 for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases for periods 2 to 4, a downward trend was still noted in these RRs in Taipei. These findings suggest a relationship exists between air pollutant exposure and mortality. In addition, data demonstrated that implementation of the MRT in Taipei exerted beneficial health effects as evidenced by lower mortality rates.

There are few apparent studies regarding the association between fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) air pollution and development of depression. Data obtained from epidemiological studies are inconsistent and controversial. The aim of this case-crossover study was to examine the association between short-term exposure to PM 2.5 alone and in combination with other pollutants and frequency of hospitalizations for depression from 2009 to 2013 in Taipei, Taiwan. In the single pollutant model without adjustment for other pollutants, 17% and 4% increase in admissions attributed to depression correlated with interquartile range (IQR) rise in PM 2.5 levels was noted on warm and cool days, respectively. Data were also analyzed using two-pollutant models and it was found that on warm days, the association continued to be significant after including one of the following pollutants: sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), ozone (O 3 ) or carbon monoxide (CO). On cool days, the significance was lost. In conclusion, the relationship between ambient outdoor PM 2.5 exposure and rates of hospitalization for depression appeared to be temperature dependent in Taipei. Further research is needed to verify these observations as well as to distinguish the relative contributions of PM 2.5 and temperature to development for hospital admissions for depression.

Atmospheric aerosols, i.e ., suspension of liquid and/or solid particles in air, have serious impacts on human health. Exploring the variation and patterns of regional atmospheric aerosols is of great significance to monitor and evaluate atmosphere quality, especially in urban areas with large population. Here, with nine typical pivotal cities along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road through Southeast Asia, South Asia to West Asia as case studies, based on MCD19A2 550 nm AOD products, combined meteorological factors, land use data, and nighttime light data, we analyzed the spatio-temporal distribution, variation features, influencing and/or driving factors of aerosols in developed urban areas over Asia. The results showed that the descending sequence of the annual aerosol optical depth (AOD) of the nine cities was Karachi, Doha, Chittagong, Bangkok, Colombo, Ho Chi Minh, Singapore, Gwadar, and Yangon during 2013-2018. Due to the influence of regional climate system and atmospheric aerosol types, the time series of annual, seasonal, and monthly AODs were significantly different. The high values of AODs in most cities were mainly located in the urban center or rapid socio-economic ( e.g ., industrial and agricultural) development regions. The effects of different meteorological factors on the AODs varied in different cities. The rainfall, relative humidity, and wind speed had great impacts on AODs in Ho Chi Minh, Bangkok, Singapore, and Yangon. Temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed had close correlations with AODs in Chittagong, Colombo, Karachi, and Gwadar of South Asia and Doha in West Asia. The urban area's AOD was influenced by the combined and synergistic effects of socio-economy, urbanization, and meteorological factors, with that in Karachi being the most significant.

Numerous epidemiologic studies demonstrated an association between an increase in levels of fine particles (particulate matter less than 2.5 um in diameter, PM 2.5 ) and elevation in the number of hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases. Air pollution levels including PM 2.5 clearly decreased in Taipei City after the mass rapid transit (MRT) system began operations in 1996. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of changes in the risk of daily hospital admissions for ischemic heart disease (IHD) over a 17-year period after the installation of a MRT system in Taipei. The full study was divided into Period 1 (1997-2000), total track length 65.1 km; Period 2 (2001-2008), total track length 75.8 km; and Period 3 (2009-2013), total track length 121.3 km. A time-stratified case-crossover analysis was conducted to estimate relative risk (RR) of hospital admissions for IHD for each 10 ug/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 for different periods. On cool days, the associated RR of IHD for Period 3 was consistently lower compared to period 2 in both our single- and two-pollutant models. However, the daily risk for IHD admissions was found to be significantly higher for period 3 compared to period 2 in our single-pollutant model and in our two-pollutant models (PM 2.5 + SO 2 ) on warm days. The basis for this difference is unknown. Data suggests that an MRT system may provide substantial health benefits, a finding that may be helpful to urban communities, urban planners, and public health specialists.

The roles of ambient fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) in the prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been scarcely highlighted as there is short of empirical evidence regarding the influences of PM 2.5 on multistep carcinogenic processes of CRC. A retrospective cohort design with multistate outcomes was envisaged by linking monthly average PM 2.5 concentrations at 22 city/county level with large-scale cohorts of cancer-screened population to study the influences of PM 2.5 on short-term inflammatory process and multistep carcinogenic processes of CRC. Our study included a nationwide CRC screening cohort of 4,628,995 aged 50-69 years who attended first screen between 2004 and 2009 and continued periodical screens until 2016. We aimed to illustrate the carcinogenesis of PM 2.5 related to CRC by applying both hierarchical logistical and multistate Markov regression models to estimate the effects of air pollution on fecal immunochemical test (FIT) positive (a proxy of inflammatory marker) and pre-clinical and clinical states of CRC in the nationwide cohort. We found a significant association of high PM 2.5 exposure and FIT-positive by an increased risk of 11% [95% confidence interval (CI), 10-12]. PM 2.5 enhanced the risk of being preclinical state by 14% (95% CI, 10-18) and that of subsequent progression from pre-clinical to clinical state by 21% (95% CI, 14-28). Furthermore, the elevated risks for CRC carcinogenesis were significantly higher for people living in high PM 2.5 pollution areas in terms of yearly averages and the number days above 35 µg/m 3 than those living in low PM 2.5 pollution areas. We concluded that both short-term and long-term PM 2.5 exposure were associated with multistep progression of CRC, which were useful to design precision primary and secondary prevention strategies of CRC for people who are exposed to high PM 2.5 pollution.

To evaluate the association between the presence of asthma and allergy, and airborne endotoxin in homes of school-age children in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, with a case-control study design by matching the age and class exposure. Data collection of home visits included an interviewer-administered questionnaire and air sampling of participants' homes for endotoxin, bacteria, and fungi, as well as temperature and relative humidity measurements. Endotoxin was detected in all air samples with a median value of 0.67 EU m -3 . In the adjusted logistic regression model, household airborne endotoxin was associated with higher prevalence of asthma and allergy; OR = 4.88 (95% CI 1.16-20.55) for Q3 (between 0.67 and 1.97 EU m  -3 ) vs. Q1 (< 0.31 EU m  -3 ), with statistical significance. Airborne fungi were associated with higher prevalence of asthma and allergy; OR = 4.47 (95% CI 1.13-17.69) for Q3 (between 314 and 699 CFU m  -3 ) vs. Q1 (< 159 CFU m  -3 ) in adjusted logistic regression models. Airborne endotoxin and fungi were significantly associated with children's asthma and allergy.

Background: To date, the effect of household airborne pollutants on the association between airborne endotoxin and lung function of schoolchildren is unknown., Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate whether indoor air pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), ozone (O 3 ), particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <10 and 2.5 μm (PM 10 , PM 2.5 ) can modify the association between airborne endotoxin and school children's lung function in a heavy industrial city in Taiwan., Methods: We recruited 120 elementary school-age children in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. Aerosol samples were collected on a filter membrane for 24 h period and then analyzed for endotoxin. Air pollutants were measured for 24 h in living rooms while school children's lung function was measured. The modification of air pollutants on the relationship between airborne endotoxin and children's lung function was estimated after adjusting the gender, age, height, weight, and case-control status., Results: We found that both O 3 and PM 10 concentrations significantly modified the relationships between airborne endotoxin and school children's lung function. Among children living in homes with O 3  ≥ 0.01 ppm or PM 10  ≥ 62 μg/m 3 , airborne endotoxin was negatively associated with lung functions, whereas among those living in homes with O 3  < 0.01 ppm or PM 10  < 62 μg/m 3 , airborne endotoxin was positively associated with lung functions., Conclusions: The indoor air pollutant concentration of O 3 and PM 10 modifies the association between airborne endotoxin and school children's lung function., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Flushing tap water is promoted as a low cost approach to reducing water lead exposures. This study evaluated lead reduction when prevailing flush guidelines (30 s⁻2 min) are implemented in a city compliant with lead-associated water regulations (New Orleans, LA, USA). Water samples ( n = 1497) collected from a convenience sample of 376 residential sites (2015⁻2017) were analyzed for lead. Samples were collected at (1) first draw ( n = 375) and after incremental flushes of (2) 30⁻45 s ( n = 375); (3) 2.5⁻3 min ( n = 373), and (4) 5.5⁻6 min ( n = 218). There was a small but significant increase in water lead after the 30 s flush (vs. first draw lead). There was no significant lead reduction until the 6 min flush ( p < 0.05); but of these samples, 52% still had detectable lead (≥1 ppb). Older homes (pre-1950) and low occupancy sites had significantly higher water lead ( p < 0.05). Each sample type had health-based standard exceedances in over 50% of sites sampled (max: 58 ppb). While flushing may be an effective short-term approach to remediate high lead, prevailing flush recommendations are an inconsistently effective exposure prevention measure that may inadvertently increase exposures. Public health messages should be modified to ensure appropriate application of flushing, while acknowledging its short-comings and practical limitations.

The relationship between exposure to ambient air pollutants and hospital admissions for appendicitis is not known. This study examined whether an association existed between air contaminant levels and frequency of hospital admissions for appendicitis in Taipei, Taiwan. Ambient air pollution and hospital admission data for Taipei were obtained for 2009-2013. Relative risk (RR) of hospital admissions was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. In the single pollutant model, on warm days (> 23°C), number of appendicitis admissions was significantly associated with particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O 3 ). On cool days (< 23°C), a significant rise in number of admissions for appendicitis was related to PM 10 , NO 2 , and O 3 concentrations. In the two-pollutant models, on warm days, NO 2 and O 3 were significantly associated with increased number of admissions for appendicitis when combined with each of the other pollutants. On cool days, NO 2 , O 3 , and PM 10 remained significant for higher appendicitis admission cases in all two-pollutant models. In conclusion, higher levels of ambient air pollutants may be associated with increase in the risk of hospital admissions for appendicitis in Taipei.

The aim of this study was to assess whether a correlation exists between fine particles (PM 2.5 ) levels and number of hospital admissions for hypertension in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Hospital admission frequency and ambient air pollution data were obtained for Kaohsiung for 2009-2013. A time-stratified case-crossover method was used to estimate relative risk for hospital admissions, controlling for weather, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for a 10 µg/m 3 increment of PM 2.5 for lags from days 0 to 6. Data showed no significant associations between PM 2.5 levels and number of hypertension-related hospital admissions on warm days (>25°C). However, on cool days (<25°C), a significant positive association was found with frequency of hypertension admissions in the single-pollutant model (without adjusting for other pollutants) with a 10 µg/m 3 rise in PM 2.5 on day of admission (lag 0) associated with a 12% increase in number of admissions for hypertension. In the two-pollutant model, the association of PM 2.5 with rate of hypertension hospitalizations remained significant after including SO 2 or O 3 on lag day 0. Data demonstrate that an association between short-term exposure to PM 2.5 and elevated risk of hypertension-related hospital admissions may exist in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, a tropical city.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with four to six rings are potent carcinogens. This study analyzed ten of the sixteen US EPA priority PAHs using reversed-phase liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) in selected reaction monitoring mode with two ionization sources: positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI+) or positive elecrtrospray ionization (ESI+) with tropylium post-column derivatization. Several factors were investigated, including mobile phases, stationary phases of columns and chromatographic temperature, to determine how optimal separation and sensitivity might be achieved. Methanol used as an organic mobile phase provided better sensitivities for most PAHs than acetonitrile, although some PAHs co-eluted. Acidic buffers did not increase analyte signals. Use of Restek Pinnacle II PAH columns (250 x 4.6 mm or 250 x 2.1 mm, 5 microm) with water/acetonitrile gradient at 27 degrees C made possible a good separation of the ten analytes. [M]+. were the best precursor ions in both APCI and ESI, although fluoranthene could not be detected in ESI mode when tropylium post-column derivatization was performed. [M-28]+ and [M-52]+ were the major product ions of PAHs after collision-induced dissociation, a result of neutral losses of C(2)H(4) and (C(2)H(2))(2), respectively. Chromatographic separation for PAH isomers was crucial because the mass spectra were so similar that even MS/MS could not distinguish them from each other. The recoveries of sample preparations of PAHs spiked onto air-sampling filters ranged between 77.5 and 106% with relative standard deviations between 1.1 and 15.9%. This method was validated by analyzing NIST SRM 1649a (urban dust), producing results comparable with the certified PAH concentrations. The detection limits using APCI and ESI interfaces, defined as three times the noise levels, ranged between 0.23 and 0.83 ng and between 0.16 and 0.84 ng of on-column injection, respectively., (Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)