2015-02-26
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A mass outbreak of poisoning occurred in Taichung and Changhua in central Taiwan in 1979 due to the ingestion of rice-bran oil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) leaking out from an oil-making plant. Many victims has since suffered from serious aftermath and poor quality of life. Lesions distort their appearance, causing strange looks from outsiders. In fear of being labeled, many victims dare not use their PCB-contaminated oil cards to receive medical treatments. Some are even forced into divorce. All of them experience psychological burden, Director-general Lu said.
To take care of the 900 plus PCB-contaminated oil victims registered in the Health Bureau of Taichung City Government, Director-general Lu said that this Social Affairs Bureau would propose a supplementary budget in 2015. “After the budget is approved by the City Council, NT$ 24,000 of maternal nutrition fee will be paid to a PCB-contaminated oil patient who delivers a baby; NT$50,000 of funeral grant will be given out to every victim passing away; and the allowance for three important holidays will be increased from NT$ 1,000 to NT$ 6,000 per person per occasion. It is only hoped to compensate for their suffering in so many years,” added Director-general Lu.
unit:綜合企劃科
