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Chio CP, Lo WC, Tsuang BJ, Hu CC, Ku KC, Chen YJ, Lin HH, Chan CC. Health impact assessment of PM 2.5 from a planned coal-fired power plant in Taiwan. J Formos Med Assoc 2019; 118:1494-1503. [PMID: 31495542 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2019.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the impact of a planned coal-fired power plant (CFPPT) in Shenao on air quality and health at subnational levels in Taiwan. METHODS We applied the Gaussian trajectory transfer-coefficient (GTx) model to estimate annual average PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm) increments in 19 Taiwanese cities and counties caused by CFPPT operation. A population health risk assessment was performed by incorporating evidence of the health effects of PM2.5 provided by prospective studies and estimating long-term PM2.5 exposure. Additionally, we considered ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and chronic obstruct pulmonary disease as the primary outcomes. The population-attributable fraction was used to estimate the county-level mortality burden attributable to CFPPT-generated PM2.5 in 2025. RESULTS The estimated annual PM2.5 increments ranged from 0.004 μg/m3 (Taitung County) to 0.28 μg/m3 (Hsinchu County) due to the Shenao CFPPT. The total and premature deaths attributable to PM2.5 from Shenao CFPPT operation in Taiwan during 2025-2040 would be 576 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 537-619) and 145 (95% CI: 136-155), respectively. Notably, we estimated 198 (95% CI: 169-234) deaths and 58 (95% CI: 51-66) premature deaths, respectively, in New Taipei City, which accounted for over a quarter of the total deaths. Overall, the mortality rate attributable to the Shenao CFPPT in Taiwan was 6 per 10,000. CONCLUSION A scientific approach should be adopted for assessing the impacts of CFPPT operation on population health, which can serve as a valuable policymaking reference for the government.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Pin Chio
- Innovation and Policy Center for Population Health and Sustainable Environment, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd, Taipei, 10055, Taiwan; Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Science, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd, Taipei, 10055, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Cheng Lo
- Graduate Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd, Taipei, 10055, Taiwan; Institute of Statistical Science, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Nankang, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Ben-Jei Tsuang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Innovation and Development Center of Sustainable Agriculture (IDCSA), National Chung-Hsing University, Taiwan. No. 145, Xingda Rd., Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Chun Hu
- Graduate Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd, Taipei, 10055, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Chen Ku
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Innovation and Development Center of Sustainable Agriculture (IDCSA), National Chung-Hsing University, Taiwan. No. 145, Xingda Rd., Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Jen Chen
- Greenpeace East Asia, No.109, Sec. 1, Chongqing S. Rd., Taipei, 10045, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Ho Lin
- Innovation and Policy Center for Population Health and Sustainable Environment, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd, Taipei, 10055, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd, Taipei, 10055, Taiwan.
| | - Chang-Chuan Chan
- Innovation and Policy Center for Population Health and Sustainable Environment, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd, Taipei, 10055, Taiwan; Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Science, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd, Taipei, 10055, Taiwan.
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