Integrated assessment of boiler air pollution control policy: Impacts on emissions, air quality, and public health in Taiwan
Journal
Atmospheric Pollution Research
Start Page
102938
ISSN
13091042
Date Issued
2026
Author(s)
Abstract
This study offers a comprehensive evaluation of Taiwan's Phase I boiler improvement program and its contributions to sustainable industrial transformation. Using emissions and energy data from the Taiwan Emission Data System (TEDS), we compare two simulated scenarios for 2021: a baseline without policy intervention (Reference Scenario) and a post-intervention scenario reflecting policy implementation (Boiler Improvement Scenario). The results reveal substantial shifts in the national fuel mix. Without policy intervention, fuel oil accounts for 55.6 % of use, compared to 32.8 % under policy implementation. Coal increases from 27.0 % to 42.8 %, while electricity-based sources, including heat pumps, rise from 6.7 % to 10.1 %. These transitions lead to significant reductions in major air pollutants: total suspended particulates (TSP) decrease by 87.9 %, PM2.5 by 84.9 %, PM10 by 86.3 %, NOx by 72.1 %, SOx by 68.9 %, total hydrocarbons (THC) by 53.1 %, non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) by 50.0 %, and lead by 97.5 %. In contrast, CO emissions increase by 19.5 %, mainly due to expanded use of gas- and coal-fired boilers. Despite this increase, the policy delivers substantial co-benefits. Health impact assessment estimates that approximately 317 premature deaths are avoided annually, along with reductions in respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions. Economic evaluation indicates significant net benefits, with annual health benefits of NT$12.80 billion (US$458.6 million) and climate benefits of NT$1.08 billion (US$38.8 million), yielding a benefit-to-cumulative-cost ratio of 9.7. Although the analysis captures only part of the improved boiler population, the results already demonstrate meaningful environmental, health, and economic gains and offer actionable insights for future air pollution control strategies.
Subjects
Air pollution control policy
Air quality improvement
Boiler emissions
Cost-benefit analysis
Greenhouse gas emissions
Health impact assessment
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Type
journal article