Group: Pollution a danger in 80% of cities
Print Edition
POLLUTION in nearly 80 percent of Chinese cities surveyed by Greenpeace “greatly exceeded” national standards over the first nine months of this year, the group said yesterday.
Average levels of PM2.5 — particles small enough to deeply penetrate the lungs — in the 367 cities tested was also more than four times the maximum recommended by the World Health Organization, Greenpeace said.
Nearly 80 percent of the cities exceeded the national standard on PM2.5, which is significantly less strict than the WHO benchmark, despite an overall improvement over the same period of last year.
Widespread use of coal for power generation and emissions from heavy industry regularly envelops Chinese cities in smog and the government has been taking measures that include moving power plants away.
Greenpeace said, however, that average pollution levels were about 10 percent lower than in the same period of last year.
“Although we’re seeing gradual improvement, air pollution levels are still unhealthy and unsafe,” said Dong Liansai, a Greenpeace East Asia climate and energy campaigner.
The most polluted cities in the survey were Kashgar and Hotan in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the northern industrial hub of Baoding.
PM2.5 readings across the cities in the survey averaged 47.2 micrograms per cubic meter. The WHO maximum for annual average exposure is 10 while China’s standard is 35.
Beijing’s average over the nine months was 72.1 while Shanghai’s was 50.4.
China’s capital ranked as one of the most polluted cities, despite factory closures that ensured blue skies for a military parade last month.
Residents dubbed the reprieve “Parade Blue” but Greenpeace said such short-term interventions had a “negligible effect on overall long term air quality.”
“Rather than temporary measures, we need a long term strategy and systemic change to China’s energy structure,” Dong said.
Greenpeace called for a cap on coal use to be included in China’s next five-year economic plan.
“A cap on coal consumption is critical for reducing air pollution and bringing back healthy, breathable air to our cities,” Dong said.
Last week a player at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing said the pollution had made him vomit, while fans wore masks.
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