A cold air mass from China has brought a haze of concentrated air pollutants to Taiwan. That was the word from the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) on Monday.
EPA said that the particle pollution levels are high in western Taiwan and on the Taiwan-controlled islands of Kinmen and Matsu, which lie just off the coast of China.
The EPA said that air pollution monitors measured levels of PM 2.5 reaching 70 micrograms per cubic meter of air on Monday. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst, this can be classified as a 9, and also the worst level in the past year. PM 2.5 refers to particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, which is believed to pose the greatest health risk because it penetrates deeply into our lungs.
EPA said that people with chronic disease and elderly people should avoid outdoor activities in the next two days. The administration also suggested wearing surgical masks when going outdoors.