Project Overview
Taoyuan City handles nearly 16,000 public complaints annually, with approximately 45% related to air pollution. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), outdoor air pollution has been classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) since 2018. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 levels of 35 µg/m³ could increase the risk of lung cancer mortality by 15%. Statistics show that air pollution contributes to 7 million premature deaths globally each year. In Taiwan, lung cancer has ranked second among the top ten cancers for 42 consecutive years as of 2023, highlighting the critical need for good air quality and effective measures to reduce PM2.5 concentrations in the atmosphere.
Leveraging advancements in IoT technology, the Department of Environmental Protection has integrated and enhanced various technological devices and software systems implemented since 2014 into an IoT framework. The Environmental Monitoring Center has been positioned as a command center, integrating inspection tools and systems into an IoT platform. This platform includes inspectors’ handheld tablets, GPS-based digital dispatch systems, air quality sensors, meteorological instruments, a smart air quality platform, and an AI-based smoke detection system. These components work together to strengthen air quality management strategies, particularly in industrial areas.
Implementation Benefits
Through the IoT air quality monitoring platform, pollution hotspots are proactively analyzed and identified. From 2021 to 2023, the platform assisted in 3,319 air pollution inspection cases, resulting in 137 violations and fines totaling NT$21.752 million. Additionally, the AI-based smoke detection system identified and fined one violator NT$160,000. Public satisfaction with air quality management reached 97.2% in 2023.
In 2022, the deployment of the platform contributed to a reduction of PM2.5 emissions by 205 metric tons. Furthermore, from 2016 to 2023, Taoyuan City’s average PM2.5 concentration decreased from 19.4 μg/m³ to 12.9 μg/m³, which is below the Environmental Protection Administration’s air quality standard of 15 μg/m³. This demonstrates initial success in managing industrial air quality. The IoT platform not only enhances inspection efficiency, enables real-time monitoring and alerts but also serves as a decision-making tool for responding to regional pollution incidents.
By using the IoT air quality monitoring platform, air quality in industrial areas is monitored through smart governance, encouraging industrial operators to adopt self-regulation measures for pollution control. This helps prevent arbitrary emissions of pollutants such as PM2.5, reducing health risks associated with excessive air pollution exposure and ensuring the health and well-being of residents. The IoT air quality monitoring platform, integrated with a digital dispatch system, transforms reactive measures into proactive solutions. It aims to resolve public complaints about industrial odor pollution in a timely and effective manner, strengthen air quality management strategies in these areas, improve living environment quality, and create a more livable city.