Air pollution in China

Air pollution in China

1. CAUSES

   • Particulate matter
   • Smog
   • Temperature inversions
   • Photochemical Smog
   • Ozone
   • Emissions from Coal Plants
   • High manufacturing industry (factories)
   • Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxide, Carbon Monoxide

2. EFFECTS

   • PM 2.5 per m³
   • Premature death
     • 350,000 and 500,000 people die prematurely each year as a result of outdoor air pollution in China
       • Estimated that airborne particles smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) caused 1.2 million premature deaths in China in 2010 alone
   • Between 2002 and 2011 the incidence of lung cancer in Beijing near doubled
     • Nationwide, deaths from lung cancer have risen 465 per cent in the last three decades
   • Chinese scientists have warned that the country's toxic air pollution is now so bad that it resembles a nuclear winter
     • slowing photosynthesis in plants – and potentially wreaking havoc on the country's food supply
   • Air pollutants adhere to greenhouse surfaces, cutting the amount of light inside by about 50% and severely impeding photosynthesis
   • 25 February 2014) Hit 505 micrograms per cubic metre on Tuesday night. The World Health Organisation recommends a safe level of 25.
     • 147 industrial companies in Beijing have cut or suspended production (Feb 2014)

3. SOLUTIONS

   • Coal Consumption decreased
     • Plan to tackle the high levels of air pollution including for the first time measures to cut coal consumption
   • Monitoring
     • 200,000 people will be prevented from dying prematurely each year if the annual level of PM in Chinese cities reaches the first level standard of 40 micrograms per cubic metre
   • 1.7 trillion Yuan (£180bn) to clean up power stations and traffic fumes
   • Giant inflatable dome at the International School of Beijing now provides an insulated space where the air is filtered and positive pressure ensures any pollution is kept at bay