Pollution in China Worsens

[Aepsilons]

Wu Wencong

China Daily

Publication Date : 19-06-2014



Air quality in May around China was slightly worse than it was the same period last year, with air quality in the Yangtze River Delta deteriorating the most, according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

The ministry released air quality statistics for May for 74 major cities on Wednesday. These showed that the number of days with good air quality for the 25 cities in the Yangtze River Delta region was only 18 out of the total of 31 - five days fewer than in May of last year.

Of the six major pollutants that are included in the calculation of air quality, only the readings for carbon monoxide were unchanged compared with the 2013 figures for the region.

Concentrations of the five others - PM2.5, which is particulate matter that is smaller than 2.5 microns and penetrates the lungs; PM10; sulfur dioxide; nitrogen dioxide; and ozone - all increased.

"Stronger sunshine, warmer temperatures and burning straw within the region are the three major reasons for the area's apparently deteriorated air quality," said an official from the ministry who requested anonymity.

Nanjing, Changzhou and Zhenjiang, all in Jiangsu province in the Yangtze River Delta region, were among the top 10 cities with the worst air quality in May.

This is the first time that three cities at once from the region have made the monthly list. The previous months' lists only saw two cities from the region at most at the same time.

The 13 cities from the Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei cluster had slightly better air quality in May compared with figures from May of last year, with three additional days with good air.

The situation for the nine cities from the Pearl River Delta region was virtually unchanged.

Nationwide, air quality in May grew slightly worse than in April and was worse than May of last year as well.

PM2.5, PM10 and ozone were the top three pollutants, with each accounting for about one-third of high- pollution days.

"The growing concentration of ozone is typical when the temperature gets higher, especially during the period from May to September," said Chai Fahe, deputy head of the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences.

Chai said pollution caused by PM10 played a significant role in May, partly because of sandstorm weather that is normal in April and May. But he said the concentration of both PM2.5 and PM10 have actually decreased compared with the previous month's figures because of vegetation growth at this time of year.


Pollution in China worse last month than in May 2013 - ANN

 

[Hakan]

Wu Wencong

China Daily

Publication Date : 19-06-2014



Air quality in May around China was slightly worse than it was the same period last year, with air quality in the Yangtze River Delta deteriorating the most, according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

The ministry released air quality statistics for May for 74 major cities on Wednesday. These showed that the number of days with good air quality for the 25 cities in the Yangtze River Delta region was only 18 out of the total of 31 - five days fewer than in May of last year.

Of the six major pollutants that are included in the calculation of air quality, only the readings for carbon monoxide were unchanged compared with the 2013 figures for the region.

Concentrations of the five others - PM2.5, which is particulate matter that is smaller than 2.5 microns and penetrates the lungs; PM10; sulfur dioxide; nitrogen dioxide; and ozone - all increased.

"Stronger sunshine, warmer temperatures and burning straw within the region are the three major reasons for the area's apparently deteriorated air quality," said an official from the ministry who requested anonymity.

Nanjing, Changzhou and Zhenjiang, all in Jiangsu province in the Yangtze River Delta region, were among the top 10 cities with the worst air quality in May.

This is the first time that three cities at once from the region have made the monthly list. The previous months' lists only saw two cities from the region at most at the same time.

The 13 cities from the Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei cluster had slightly better air quality in May compared with figures from May of last year, with three additional days with good air.

The situation for the nine cities from the Pearl River Delta region was virtually unchanged.

Nationwide, air quality in May grew slightly worse than in April and was worse than May of last year as well.

PM2.5, PM10 and ozone were the top three pollutants, with each accounting for about one-third of high- pollution days.

"The growing concentration of ozone is typical when the temperature gets higher, especially during the period from May to September," said Chai Fahe, deputy head of the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences.

Chai said pollution caused by PM10 played a significant role in May, partly because of sandstorm weather that is normal in April and May. But he said the concentration of both PM2.5 and PM10 have actually decreased compared with the previous month's figures because of vegetation growth at this time of year.


Pollution in China worse last month than in May 2013 - ANN

Those pictures are unbelievable. I could never imagine living like that.

I hope the government has some plans to deal with this issue because the nations health care costs will definetly go up.

 

[Indus Falcon]

Those pictures are unbelievable. I could never imagine living like that.

Believe me they are very much real. Unfortunately, in the race to develop, human health and the environment has been overlooked!

 

[Aepsilons]

Believe me they are very much real. Unfortunately, in the race to develop, human health and the environment has been overlooked!

Those pictures are unbelievable. I could never imagine living like that.

I hope the government has some plans to deal with this issue because the nations health care costs will definetly go up.

I , too, hope that their government can combat the pollution problem in China.

 

[TruthSeeker]

They can't significantly reduce pollution without compromising economic growth, which would invite political instability.
The Chinese "man in the street" will have to wear an air filter, always when outside, for the foreseeable future.

 

[terranMarine]

That's the fate England and America went through when they started industrialization. Now China is still developing and factories remain part of the industry, it's not gonna change overnight. Once plenty areas are developed and are moving to high tech manufacturing the situation will improve, it's gonna take some time unfortunately.

 

[Beidou2020]

They can't significantly reduce pollution without compromising economic growth, which would invite political instability.
The Chinese "man in the street" will have to wear an air filter, always when outside, for the foreseeable future.

Actually economic reform is the solution to pollution. China never needed economic growth for political stability.

Pollution comes from the low quality fuel standards used in cars and trucks. The refiners need to upgrade their technology.

Services based economy will replace the heavy industry (steel, cement, glass, coal) which will create jobs and growth while improving pollution.

Coal as % of energy consumption is decreasing and coal plants are being upgraded to absorb the toxins released this reducing the pollution in the air.

Economic reforms underway will solve this pollution problem within 5 years.

 

[TaiShang]

The environmental quality will improve over time. People's general welfare at this stage is more important. Environment can be be reclaimed in time; but, if no radical steps are taken, poverty lingers forever. Besides, life expectancy is increasing in China and child mortality is decreasing constantly. The way China's environmental pollution progresses has been historically very similar to that of Japan.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Economic reforms underway will solve this pollution problem within 5 years.

5 years? A total fantasy. Try 50 years. The USA won't solve its pollution problems even within five years and we have been addressing it with numerous regulations and tax incentives since the mid-1970's. In fact, one of the significant reasons that American blue collar jobs have transferred to China is because of the anti-pollution costs of USA regulation in pollution generating industries.

 

[pursuit of happiness]

Wu Wencong

China Daily

Publication Date : 19-06-2014



Air quality in May around China was slightly worse than it was the same period last year, with air quality in the Yangtze River Delta deteriorating the most, according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

The ministry released air quality statistics for May for 74 major cities on Wednesday. These showed that the number of days with good air quality for the 25 cities in the Yangtze River Delta region was only 18 out of the total of 31 - five days fewer than in May of last year.

Of the six major pollutants that are included in the calculation of air quality, only the readings for carbon monoxide were unchanged compared with the 2013 figures for the region.

Concentrations of the five others - PM2.5, which is particulate matter that is smaller than 2.5 microns and penetrates the lungs; PM10; sulfur dioxide; nitrogen dioxide; and ozone - all increased.

"Stronger sunshine, warmer temperatures and burning straw within the region are the three major reasons for the area's apparently deteriorated air quality," said an official from the ministry who requested anonymity.

Nanjing, Changzhou and Zhenjiang, all in Jiangsu province in the Yangtze River Delta region, were among the top 10 cities with the worst air quality in May.

This is the first time that three cities at once from the region have made the monthly list. The previous months' lists only saw two cities from the region at most at the same time.

The 13 cities from the Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei cluster had slightly better air quality in May compared with figures from May of last year, with three additional days with good air.

The situation for the nine cities from the Pearl River Delta region was virtually unchanged.

Nationwide, air quality in May grew slightly worse than in April and was worse than May of last year as well.

PM2.5, PM10 and ozone were the top three pollutants, with each accounting for about one-third of high- pollution days.

"The growing concentration of ozone is typical when the temperature gets higher, especially during the period from May to September," said Chai Fahe, deputy head of the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences.

Chai said pollution caused by PM10 played a significant role in May, partly because of sandstorm weather that is normal in April and May. But he said the concentration of both PM2.5 and PM10 have actually decreased compared with the previous month's figures because of vegetation growth at this time of year.


Pollution in China worse last month than in May 2013 - ANN

--
why its so much scary ?
which industry running?
any enviroental issue ?
what govt doing ?

 

[TaiShang]

There is also another type of pollution that often misses the headlines.

The growing problem of e-waste

China.org.cn

While air and water pollution capture the headlines, a rapidly growing but less obvious pollution problem around the world is found in e-waste. E-waste involves the chemical residues found in our various technology products. Just a few examples of e-waste include cadmium, which is found in the batteries of personal computers. Most electronic equipment also contains lead. Mercury is contained in many lighting displays. Polyvinyl chloride is frequently used for cabling in circuit boards. These and many other chemicals are harmful and in many cases extremely toxic to humans. For example, cadmium is found in personal computer batteries and monitors. It is extremely toxic to humans and the environment. Too often, e-waste ends up in landfill and can seep into the environment as well as harm those who come into contact with it.

According to a 2012 UN Report, the “United States topped the list of the 184 countries analyzed for the total volume of e-waste generated each year, at 9.4 million tons in 2012; followed by China, with 7.2 million tons. By comparison, the U.S. Environment Protection Agency reported that the U.S. generated 1.9 million to 2.2 million tons of e-waste in 2005.”

China, with its rapid growth in technology use (e.g. over 1 billion mobile phones) will continue to be a leading producer of e-waste. China also is the recipient of e-waste from other countries such as the United States which transports old computers, mobile phones and other technology for recycling. China breaks down the old, recovers what is recyclable and the e-waste remains.

Not only is the use of technology increasing, but the shelf life of existing models has become increasingly shorter, as consumers throw away the old and purchase the newest version. Mobile phones and laptops now seldom last more than a couple of years. The result is an ever growing problem which needs to get on the agenda of lawmakers and communities. The UN reported in 2012 for example that “the mountain of used electrical and electronic devices, known as ‘e-waste,’ is expected to grow from 48.9 million metric tons worldwide in 2012 to 65.4 million metric tons in 2017.”

Also adding to the problem of e-waste is that there is no coherent legal framework that governs it. In the United States, for example, each state has its own laws governing such waste and there is wide discrepancy in other countries. Even in countries with an adequate legal framework, laws can be subverted as a result of corruption and lack of enforcement. Among the positive international steps is the Basel Convention which seeks to regulate the movement of hazardous waste.

The Basel Convention was brought into force in 1992 and over 170 countries have joined the convention, including China. The enforcement and sufficiency of funding for this initiative, however, has been criticized as insufficient.

Albert Einstein reminds us: “The world we have created today has problems which cannot be solved by thinking the way we thought when we created them.” There is an urgent need for scientists to ramp up research about the problem of e-waste and look for innovative and cost-productive ways to solve this problem before it gets dramatically worse. Such research efforts will hopefully find new and innovative ways to more effectively recycle such technology and turn the negative into a positive. For example, effective computer and television recycling can break down components so that a large percentage can be re-used.

Education is also part of the answer. An example is the United Nations' Solving the E-Waste Problem (StEP) Initiative, which is a global effort involving the collaboration of governments around the world to raise awareness and promote innovation in disposing and recycling e-waste. In brief, we need to do more to educate students, citizens and organizations about responsible e-waste disposal and handling. Governments should also be more proactive in sponsoring and organizing recycling programs.

Culturally, I would argue that our consumer “throw-away” society where we constantly want what is new is also part of the problem. As I have written in earlier opinion articles, pollution is really an issue of national security. The present generation needs to see our environment not as something which we own or have inherited from our ancestors. Instead, we should view the environment as a scarce resource and essential to the quality of life -- something that we benefit from and have a responsibility to preserve, protect and enhance for the benefit of future generations.

 

[JayMandan]

Really sucks for the Chinese of this generation but if everything goes to plan, their grandchildren will surely enjoy their grandparents' fruit of labor, 1st world China.

 

[VCheng]

Apparently, breathing Beijing’s air is the equivalent of smoking almost 40 cigarettes a day (!).

 

[IsaacNewton]

Pollution in China is not in the interest of Japan.

It is like sitting next to a neighbor in class who never showers and keeps farting.

 

[Lure]

Pollution in China is not in the interest of Japan.

It is like sitting next to a neighbor in class who never showers and keeps farting.

Yeah, exactly the type of relation between Canada and US.