本研究利用台灣環境部78個空氣品質監測站2018年至2022年的PM2.5與臭氧(O3)資料，結合人口數據繪製Apte Plot，探討台灣各縣市空氣污染濃度變化及其對公共健康的影響。Apte Plot是由Apte等人於2015年提出的一種空氣污染暴露與人口分布的可視化方法，原始設計目的是在單一圖形中同時呈現污染物濃度分布與人口暴露情況，從而提供直觀的暴露全貌概覽。結果顯示，台灣整體PM2.5濃度於五年間呈顯著下降趨勢，雙峰分佈中的第一峰值由2018年超過15 μg/m³下降至2022年的約10 μg/m³，第二峰值則由25 μg/m³以上下降至約18 μg/m³。北部地區PM2.5多介於12–18 μg/m³，南部普遍高於18 μg/m³，顯示區域差異仍然存在。臭氧濃度則由2018年的約30 ppb下降至2022年的約27 ppb，但金門、澎湖及馬祖仍維持在38–45 ppb之間。
透過整合致病斜率與其暴露人口計算結果顯示，因PM2.5暴露導致的四大主要疾病（缺血性心臟病、中風、肺癌與慢性阻塞性肺病）的過早死亡推估數於研究期間皆呈下降趨勢，其中中風降幅最大（約48.5%），顯示其對PM2.5濃度變化最為敏感。
綜合而言，台灣在2018–2022年PM2.5與臭氧濃度均有改善，並帶來顯著的健康效益，特別是在降低與PM2.5相關疾病的過早死亡風險方面。然而，南部及離島地區的污染水準與健康負擔仍偏高，未來需針對區域差異制定更精準的減量策略。

Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) refers to fine airborne particles that possess a relatively large surface area and a high capacity to absorb toxic and hazardous substances, such as heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. PM2.5 exhibits a diverse chemical composition, primarily consisting of sulfates, nitrates, ammonium salts, organic carbon, and elemental carbon. Ozone (O₃), composed of three oxygen atoms, is a highly reactive oxidant. In the troposphere, ozone is not emitted directly but is formed through photochemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), thus classifying it as a secondary pollutant.
To date, global research on PM2.5 and ozone has primarily focused on their impacts on human health, source apportionment, atmospheric transport mechanisms, and control strategies. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to high concentrations of PM2.5 significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and lung cancer. However, existing research data remain insufficient in certain regions, particularly at the local scale. The limited number and uneven spatial distribution of monitoring stations have constrained our understanding of the spatiotemporal variability, sources, and health impacts of PM2.5. Consequently, enhancing local-scale monitoring and research is essential for the development of effective pollution control policies.
In this study, long-term PM2.5 and ozone data collected from 78 air quality monitoring stations across Taiwan are utilized to construct Apte Plots. The study analyzes historical trends in PM2.5 and ozone concentrations as well as regional disparities, using cumulative distribution curves and concentration distribution maps to visualize the progress of air quality improvement across different regions. These visualizations aim to provide concrete references for addressing regional inequalities in air quality management. In addition to generating Apte Plots that depict the relationships among PM2.5, ozone, and population, this study also estimates and compares premature mortality attributable to PM2.5-related diseases at the county and city levels based on relevant data.

Anenberg, S. C., et al. (2019). "Particulate matter-attributable mortality and relationships with carbon dioxide in 250 urban areas worldwide." Scientific Reports 9.
Apte, Joshua S., et al. (2015). "Addressing Global Mortality from Ambient PM2.5." Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 49, no. 13, pp. 8057–8066.
Batterman, S et al. (2012) “Particulate matter concentrations in residences: an intervention study evaluating stand-alone filters and air conditioners.” Indoor air vol. 22,3: 235-52.
Burnett, R. T.; Pope III, C. A.; Ezzati, M., et al. (2014). "An Integrated Risk Function for Estimating the Global Burden of Disease Attributable to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter Exposure." Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 122, pp. 397−403.
Burnett, R. T., et al. (2018). "Global Estimates of Mortality Associated with Long-Term Exposure to Outdoor Fine Particulate Matter." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 115, no. 38, pp. 9592-9597.
Cai, Wenjia, et al. (2024). "Ozone Mortality Burden Changes Driven by Population Aging and Emission Controls." GeoHealth.
Cakmak, Sabit et al. (2014) “Residential exposure to volatile organic compounds and lung function: results from a population-based cross-sectional survey.” Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) vol. 194 : 145-151.
Di, Qian, et al. (2017). "Air pollution and mortality in the Medicare population." New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 376, no. 26, pp. 2513–2522.
Gao, Yuming, et al. (2023). "Estimating the exposure–response function between long-term ozone exposure and under-5 mortality." The Lancet Planetary Health, vol. 7, no. 5, pp. e334–e343.
He, C., et al. (2024). "Synergistic PM2.5 and O3 Control to Address the Emerging Global PM2.5-O3 Compound Pollution Challenges." Eco-Environment & Health, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 325-337.
Huang, Wei-Heng, et al. (2019). “Significant effects of exposure to relatively low level ozone on daily mortality in 17 cities from three Eastern Asian Countries.” Environmental Research, vol. 168, pp. 80-84.
Jerrett, Michael, et al. (2009). "Long-Term Ozone Exposure and Mortality." New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 360, pp. 1085–1095.
Johnston, Fay H., et al. (2012). "Estimated Global Mortality Attributable to Smoke from Landscape Fires." Environmental Health Perspectives.
Lelieveld, J., et al. (2015). "The Contribution of Outdoor Air Pollution Sources to Premature Mortality on a Global Scale." Nature, vol. 525, no. 7569, pp. 367-371.
Lim, Cameron C., et al. (2019). "Long-term exposure to ozone and cause-specific mortality risk in the United States." American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, vol. 200, no. 8, pp. 1022–1031.
Liu, C., Chen, R., Sera, F., et al. (2023). "Interactive Effects of Ambient Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone on Daily Mortality in 372 Cities: Two-Stage Time Series Analysis." The BMJ, vol. 381, e074495.
McAlexander, T. P., et al. (2023). "Associations between PM2.5 and O3 Exposures and New Onset Type 2 Diabetes in Regional and National Samples in the United States. "Environmental Research, vol. 239.
Pope, C. Arden III, et al. (2002). "Lung Cancer, Cardiopulmonary Mortality, and Long-Term Exposure to Fine Particulate Air Pollution." JAMA, vol. 287, no. 9, pp. 1132-1141.
Smith, Kirk R., et al. (2014). "Millions Dead: How Do We Know and What Does It Mean? Methods Used in the Comparative Risk Assessment of Household Air Pollution." Annual Review of Public Health, vol. 35, pp. 185-206.
Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD). (2019). "Global Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter and Its Impact on Mortality." Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2005). "Air Quality Guidelines: Global Update 2005." WHO Press.
北京市環境科學學報. (2021). "2014~2020 年 PM2.5 和 O3 時空分布與健康效應評估." 環境科學學報, vol. 41, no. 9, pp. 3509-3521.
羅偉成, 謝瑞豪, 詹長權, 林先和. (2016). "台灣可歸因於 PM2.5 暴露之死亡負擔." 台灣醫學, vol. 20, no. 5, pp. 637-645.