Ministry urged to improve oversight on fly ash, wasteBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNAControl Yuan member Tien Chiu-chin (田秋菫) yesterday urged the Ministry of Environment to improve oversight on fly ash and reduce dioxin levels in it, citing an investigation into residual toxins and public concern over waste management. The probe was launched following media reports in 2024 on residual dioxin and heavy metals in fly ash as well as calls to reduce waste at the source, Tien said. She said her investigation found that Taiwan generated more than 180,000 tonnes of fly ash at municipal waste incinerators between 2011 and 2024. Photo: Hsieh Chun-lin, Taipei TimesLess than 10 percent of that could be reused due to high levels of dioxins and heavy metals, she said. She also raised concerns about fly ash washing, which transfers contaminants such as dioxins, heavy metals, chloride, perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), and brominated flame retardants into wastewater.

Source: Taipei Times March 21, 2026 17:14 UTC