Greenpeace East Asia
Myth: Air pollution is only a problem for people living in Beijing and Shanghai
Air pollution is not only a problem for one or two cities, it's a regional issue. According to statistics from the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP), in most of the major cities of the eastern area there are more than 100 haze days each year, and the annual average PM2.5 concentration is two to four times above that of the World Health Organization's standard.
Myth: Car exhaust fumes is the single biggest contributor to air pollution
In fact, on the regional level the major single source of cause of PM2.5 (which is more dangerous than PM10 because it penetrates lungs and can enter blood circulation) is from coal burning, not car exhaust. Coal burning not only emits small particles, but also emits huge amounts of SO2 and NOx.
Myth: It's enough if cities independently conceive and execute their own solutions
Any effort to curb PM2.5 and other pollutants is worth a try, so at the city level, authorities can begin to control traffic, dust and reduce localized coal consumption. But because PM2.5 itself is rooted in a regional pollution issue, we need more ambition from the central level to control the country's severely high levels of coal consumption.
Fact: Eastern China's coal industry is a critical issue for air pollution
The eastern area of China is burning 40% of China's coal. This brings about very serious regional air pollution, especially as we head into the winter season where there will be an increased used of energy from heating. More and more cars on the road also continue to aggravate the air pollution issue.
Fact: Cities must begin to disclose daily PM2.5 readings for accurate air pollution readings
Given the health effects of PM2.5, Greenpeace believe the government's annual environmental report should disclose daily PM2.5 levels as soon as possible. The MEP has produced guidelines regarding PM2.5 measuring, and individual cities across China should take the initiative to disclose daily PM2.5 information according to these standards.
Fact: Individuals can lessen their risk of exposure
As this pollution issue continues to worsen, the eastern China population needs to be instructed as to how to reduce exposure during the most polluted days. This includes avoiding outdoor activities, and if possible using proper PM2.5 filtering masks. Surgical masks are useless, since they are designed for medical hygiene.
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Myth: Air pollution is only a problem for people living in Beijing and Shanghai
Air pollution is not only a problem for one or two cities, it's a regional issue. According to statistics from the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP), in most of the major cities of the eastern area there are more than 100 haze days each year, and the annual average PM2.5 concentration is two to four times above that of the World Health Organization's standard.
Myth: Car exhaust fumes is the single biggest contributor to air pollution
In fact, on the regional level the major single source of cause of PM2.5 (which is more dangerous than PM10 because it penetrates lungs and can enter blood circulation) is from coal burning, not car exhaust. Coal burning not only emits small particles, but also emits huge amounts of SO2 and NOx.
Myth: It's enough if cities independently conceive and execute their own solutions
Any effort to curb PM2.5 and other pollutants is worth a try, so at the city level, authorities can begin to control traffic, dust and reduce localized coal consumption. But because PM2.5 itself is rooted in a regional pollution issue, we need more ambition from the central level to control the country's severely high levels of coal consumption.
Fact: Eastern China's coal industry is a critical issue for air pollution
The eastern area of China is burning 40% of China's coal. This brings about very serious regional air pollution, especially as we head into the winter season where there will be an increased used of energy from heating. More and more cars on the road also continue to aggravate the air pollution issue.
Fact: Cities must begin to disclose daily PM2.5 readings for accurate air pollution readings
Given the health effects of PM2.5, Greenpeace believe the government's annual environmental report should disclose daily PM2.5 levels as soon as possible. The MEP has produced guidelines regarding PM2.5 measuring, and individual cities across China should take the initiative to disclose daily PM2.5 information according to these standards.
Fact: Individuals can lessen their risk of exposure
As this pollution issue continues to worsen, the eastern China population needs to be instructed as to how to reduce exposure during the most polluted days. This includes avoiding outdoor activities, and if possible using proper PM2.5 filtering masks. Surgical masks are useless, since they are designed for medical hygiene.
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