Poor air quality was recorded in multiple locations across Taiwan on Thursday, as stagnant winds limited the dispersal of domestic air pollutants, according to the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA).

In an air quality report on Thursday, the EPA said its index reached a “red” level alert at locations in Taipei and New Taipei cities as of 4:00 p.m., indicating “unhealthy” levels of air pollution.

In parts of Keelung, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin and Pingtung, the index was on “orange” alert, signaling unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups, the EPA said.

The poor air quality was caused by both vehicle emissions and industrial pollution, while stagnant winds prevented the pollutants from being dispersed, it said.

Meanwhile, the air quality was good in Yilan, Hualien and Taitung on the east coast, and moderate on the outlying islands of Penghu, Matsu and Kinmen, the EPA said.

Looking ahead, the EPA said it expects conditions in northern and central Taiwan to worsen overnight, adding that the generally weak winds forecast for Friday will do little to improve the situation.

With the strengthening of northeasterly winds on Saturday and Sunday, air quality levels are expected to improve in the north and central regions, but will remain poor in the south, the agency said.

Air quality dips to unhealthy levels in many parts of Taiwan – Focus Taiwan