TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An orange-colored gas leaked from a waste management plant in Taoyuan on Wednesday (Nov. 13).
The gas leak occurred around 7 a.m. at ShiowLin Environmental Technology Co. on Huanke Road in Guanyin District, per PTS News. Witnesses heard a loud bang before a bright orange smoke with a sour smell began to emit from a waste tank.
The smoke continued to billow from the plant but no injuries were reported. The fire department dispatched 18 firefighters, seven fire trucks, and two ambulances to the scene, but when they arrived, the leak had already been contained.
The leak occurred at a waste liquid processing facility during the unloading of nitric acid waste, which reacted with metals to produce nitric acid gas. The Taoyuan Department of Environmental Protection and a technical team from the Ministry of Environment arrived on-site to conduct monitoring.
An environmental protection official said that when inspectors arrived, the gas leak was already under control. However, because the factory broke Article 33 of the Air Pollution Control Act (空污法), it could face a fine of up to NT$20 million (US$616,000).
Su Yi-fong (蘇一峰), a Taipei City Hospital Yangming Branch pulmonologist, told PTS News that inhaling strong acid into the lungs causes irritation, acute pulmonary edema, respiratory tract swelling, and tracheal constriction similar to asthma.
According to the Department of Environmental Protection, the wind was blowing northeast at 28 kph towards the coast. It said this indicates a minimal impact on surrounding areas, but advised residents in downwind Datan and Baosheng boroughs to remain alert.
Su also warned that nitric acid gas is highly irritating and cannot be filtered by surgical masks. Su said the best response is to keep doors and windows tightly closed, limit outdoor activities, and seek medical attention if respiratory symptoms develop.
