To effectively collect evidences of air pollution reported by residents in Zhonghe Village of Houli District, the Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB) of Taichung City Government has stationed a mobile air quality monitoring vehicle at the sewage treatment plant of the company in question since the afternoon of May 22. It is estimated that data collection for the foul odor will last for two weeks.

The mobile air quality monitoring vehicle is equipped with sophisticated scientific instruments that can sample and analyze the components of odor mixtures, compare them with the waste substances collected from the company’s manufacturing process, and determine the causes of foul odor and its impact on the air quality in Houli District.

Equipped with such precision instruments as “selected ion flow tube (SIFT)" and meteorological devices for wind speed, wind direction, temperature and humidity, the mobile air quality monitoring vehicle can detect odor mixtures and volatile organic compounds qualitatively and quantitatively.When pollutant exceeds a set value and triggers its sampling system, the stainless steel sampling cylinders will start to collect air samples automatically for subsequent analysis.

If sampling results prove that the company is at fault, the EPB will invite scholars and experts to assess the pollution sources at the company and take necessary remedial measures. It is expected that assessments will be made on the applicability and effectiveness of control equipment, the rationality of waste paper stacking capacity, the appropriateness of waste paper stacking location, the effectiveness of each operating unit in the wastewater treatment plant, and the adequacy of operation and maintenance of sludge dewatering zone. Then, concrete and effective improvement methods will be recommended to the company for reference.