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Environmental monitoring and distribution of chemical substances

The Environmental Protection Administration was restructured as the Ministry of Environment, on August 22, 2023.

In order to properly manage chemical substances and understand the management effectiveness for chemical substances, the MOENV has systematically and scientifically investigated the distribution of targeted concerned chemical substances, such as toxic chemicals, persistent organic pollutants and suspected endocrine disruptors, in river ecosystems since 1999. This investigation includes chemical operating factories and the surrounding environment (from 1999 to 2004), river environment (from 2001 to present), and port environment (from 2001 to 2004).

Diagram showing how pollutants from boating, pesticides, municipal and industrial sources enter water, are ingested by fish, and flow to the sea.
The Journey of Pollutants from Land to Sea
Pollutants from various land sources—including industrial facilities, municipal waste, pesticide application, and boating—are released into soil and water. These pollutants flow through runoff into rivers and lakes, where they can settle into sediment or be ingested by aquatic animals like fish. The process of accumulation and transport means that pollutants eventually reach the ocean, impacting marine life and potentially entering human food chains.

As of 2025, this investigation has accumulated more than 119,800 pieces of data analyzed from the sediments of 30 principal rivers around Taiwan. The spatial and temporal distribution of chemical substances in the final sink and sediments was obtained and analyzed. The data were provided to related government agencies for establishing management strategies of chemical substances.

Visual timeline showing the phases and milestones of Taiwan's chemical substance investigation roadmap from 2001 to 2026, as rivers and chemicals surveyed expand and evolve.
Roadmap: Investigation of Chemical Substances in Taiwan Rivers (2001–2025)
The roadmap presents a multi-phase timeline for investigating toxic and concerned chemicals in Taiwan’s rivers. Starting from 24 rivers surveyed, the scope broadened over time to include more rivers and substances. Efforts have evolved from preliminary surveys to continuous, risk-based monitoring, including global hazardous chemicals, with increasing technical coverage and regional focus.
Geographic distribution of rivers — number-to-name mapping
No. River Name No. River Name
1 Dansuie River 16 Bajhang River
2 Sindian River 17 Jishui River
3 Keelung River 18 Jiangjun River
4 Dahan River 19 Zengwun River
5 Nankan River 20 Yanshuei River
6 Toucian River 21 Erren River
7 Keya River 22 Dianbao River
8 Jhonggang River 23 Gaoping River
9 Houlong River 24 Donggang River
10 Daan River 25 Linbien River
11 Dajia River 26 Lanyang River
12 Wu River 27 Shincheng River
13 Jhuoshuei River 28 Hualien River
14 Beigang River 29 Siouguluan River
15 Puzih River 30 Beinan River
Taiwan map with 30 river numbers marked at corresponding geographic locations.
The Toxic and Chemical Substances Bureau was restructured as the Chemicals Administration, on August 22, 2023.

Through the concept of source management and in line with international trends, CHA aims to develop chemical substance management strategies, while strengthening interdepartmental coordination and joint audit. Among them, mastering the environmental monitoring and distribution of chemical substances is one critical but basic task. Therefore, the investigation of at least 50 chemical substances in the sediments and fish of 15 rivers has been conducted every year since 2018 in order to speed up the local data collection of the environmental distribution of chemical substances.

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