Can you ever imagine a “Cancer Village”, where more than 70% of villagers die due to lung cancer? For decades, air pollution acts as a threat to Taiwanese health no matter whether the pollution is spread from China by monsoons or from local factories and powerhouses. In fact, many components inside polluted air are considered to be carcinogens according to WHO’s standards. For example, PM2.5 is a Group 1 carcinogen, which will increase the chance of getting cancer by 15% in long-term inhalation. Therefore, air pollution has made panic in Taiwan and further make people notice the existence of a “Cancer Village”.

Shulin Village also known as the Cancer Village is located in the middle of a bunch of factories in Touyuan, Taiwan. According to the census, in the last 8 years, 22 people died in the village, and 17 people died of cancer, which made up 77% of the death population. Many people were shocked by this terrible data and wondered whether it was a coincidence or if there is any factor contributing to this condition. After researching, people find out that the industrial area next to the village emits a lot amount of exhaust gas. The exhaust gas came from chemical plants and metal processing plants can violate the body’s health. The gas also attaches tiny particles to the local crops. These factors are suspected to contribute to the high risk of cancer in the village. 

However, according to the measure from the air testing station, the government claims that there are no components like PM2.5 that relate to cancer directly in the village, though there are still components like formic acid, acetic acid, and ethyl ester that can pollute the air. And the government also draft a plan to relocate the village from pollution. But here comes a question, why move the villager who has lived here since the last generation instead of relocating factories or limiting gas emission? Till today, the government hasn’t answered the question, and the relocating plan has been halted. Many villagers are still suffering from bad air quality and potential health threats. Overall, the village did aware people of the issue of air pollution. There are still many places in the world that are facing the same problem as Shulin Village. It always comes to a problem for the government to maintain the balance between industrial development and environmental protection.