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For this study, dust storm data was collected on 24 - 25 March, 2012. This dust storm impacted the northern area of Taiwan for about two days, so our study was confined to the northern air quality region of Taiwan using indicator kriging for assessing the probability of exceeding the threhold concentration of PM2.5. Results showed that the highest levels of dust storm pollution in the study area were in the Zhongzheng District of Taipei City, with a concentration of 39.86 µg m-1. The lowest levels were 21.88 µg m-1, in Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City. Among the four administrative regions, variation was greatest in Taipei City, with concentrations between 22.74 and 39.86 µg m-1, and lowest in Keelung City, with concentrations between 23.97 and 27.56 µg m-1. We categorized pollution concentrations with probabilities greater than 0.7 into three categories to represent health risk hazards. Eighty-seven percent of areas were low risk, with PM2.5concentrations above 25 µg m-1. Areas with PM 2.5concentrations greater than 30 µg m-1 were considered moderate risk areas, and comprised 1.2% of all area; this category appeared in the Zhongshan, Songshan, Datong, and Daan Districts of Taipei City and the Zhongli District of Taoyuan City. Concentrations greater than 35 µg m-1, labeled high risk areas, accounted for only 0.4% and were concentrated in the Zhongshan, Songshan, and Zhongli Districts of Taipei City. The methods used in this study and its results can be key references for future early warning and prevention of dust pollution by relevant authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Located in northern Taiwan, Taipei is a metropolis surrounded by hills and mountains that form a basin in which two river valleys funnel the surface airflow of this basin to the open sea. Because of the southwest monsoon, summer is a dry season in northern Taiwan but is the season of maximum rainfall in the Taipei basin. This unusual summer rainfall maximum in Taipei is largely produced by afternoon/evening thunderstorms—in particular, on the downwind side and slopes of mountains south of the city. The population in the city of Taipei and the county in which this city is located has more than tripled during the past four decades while land use for building and surface construction increased by a factor of 3. This urbanization may contribute to an increase of 1.5°C in daily mean temperature, a decrease of 1°C in daily temperature range, an increase of more than 67% in the frequency of afternoon/evening thunderstorms, and an increase of 77% in rainfall generated by thunderstorms. These findings may explain the reduction in the water supply deficit to the Taipei metropolitan area and the ground subsidence of the Taipei basin caused by the excessive use of groundwater. Results of this study also provide important information for urban planning and pollution control and for management of the increasing traffic hazards caused by the enhanced thunderstorm activity and rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines mite allergen exposure as a risk factor in atopic dermatitis development during early infancy in Taipei, Taiwan. Influence of allergen exposure during infancy on allergic diseases in later life; Prevention of allergic diseases by avoiding allergen sensitization; Role of heredity in allergic diseases.

The article presents a retrospective review of 1,482 patients with liver cirrhosis who died at Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, between January 2004 and October 2008. Topics include an overview of the increasing incidence of liver cirrhosis, which is associated with high mortality, and a table of statistics related to demographic and laboratory data of all the patients within the study.