. Earth Science News .
FROTH AND BUBBLE
Heavy air pollution in 80% of Chinese cities: Greenpeace
by Staff Writers
Beijing (AFP) Oct 15, 2015


Pollution in nearly 80 percent of Chinese cities surveyed by Greenpeace "greatly exceeded" national standards over the first nine months of this year, the advocacy group said on Thursday.

The average level of PM2.5 particulates -- 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 (WHO), 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 from the same period last year.

Widespread use of coal for power generation and emissions from heavy industry regularly swathe Chinese cities in smog, linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths each year.

It is a major source of discontent with the ruling Communist party, who have announced measures such as moving power plants, but few expect rapid improvements.

Greenpeace said that average pollution levels were about 10 percent lower than the same period last year.

"Although we're seeing gradual improvement, air pollution levels are still unhealthy and unsafe," said Greenpeace East Asia Climate and Energy Campaigner Dong Liansai.

The most polluted cities were Kashgar and Hotan in China's northwestern Xinjiang region, and the northern industrial hub of Baoding.

Average PM2.5 readings across the surveyed cities was 47.2 micrograms per cubic metre. The WHO maximum for annual average exposure is 10 while China's annual 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 to ensure blue skies for a massive military parade last month.

Locals 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 added.

Greenpeace called for a cap on coal use to be included in China's new five-year economic plan, currently being drafted by the ruling Communist party.

"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 held in Beijing in thick haze said pollution had made him vomit, while fans wore face masks.


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


.


Related Links
Our Polluted World and Cleaning It Up






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

Previous Report
FROTH AND BUBBLE
Sea turtles face plastic pollution peril
Exeter, UK (SPX) Oct 13, 2015
A new global review led by the University of Exeter that set out to investigate the hazards of marine plastic pollution has warned that all seven species of marine turtles can ingest or become entangled in the discarded debris that currently litters the oceans. The research, which was carried out in collaboration with Plymouth Marine Laboratory, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission ... read more


FROTH AND BUBBLE
Family of El Faro victim launches $100 million lawsuit

Man survives on ants for six days in remote Australia

New warehouse blast hits Tianjin: China state media

LORELEI Imagines Rapid Automated Language Toolkit

FROTH AND BUBBLE
Methodology could lead to more sustainable manufacturing systems

New deposition technique enhances optoelectronic properties of lasers

Mathematicians find 'magic key' to drive Ramanujan's taxi-cab number

Using optical fiber to generate a two-micron laser

FROTH AND BUBBLE
Tracking Agricultural Water Use on a Smartphone

New study questions long-held theories of climate variability in the North Atlantic

Scientists track speed of powerful internal waves

Cyprus blasts 'illegal' pipeline from Turkey

FROTH AND BUBBLE
2015 Antarctic maximum sea ice extent breaks streak of record highs

Shift in weaning age supports hunting-induced extinction of Siberian woolly mammoths

Study sees powerful winds carving away Antarctic snow

Could 'The Day After Tomorrow' happen?

FROTH AND BUBBLE
Researchers learn how to keep pathogens, pests from traveling with grain

Trade in invasive plants is blossoming

Colorful caterpillar chemists

Accurate timing of migration prolongs life expectancy in pike

FROTH AND BUBBLE
Volcanic eruptions affect flow of world's major rivers

Simulating path of 'magma mush' inside an active volcano

Ecuador volcano spews giant ash column

Guatemala volcano roars back to life

FROTH AND BUBBLE
Cow dung and old tyres inspire S.African township artists

Pro-Compaore politician arrested in Burkina over failed coup

Eutelsat and Facebook to partner on vsat initiative to get Africa online

Two Niger soldiers killed in 'Boko Haram ambush'

FROTH AND BUBBLE
Did Homo sapiens colonize Asia before Europe?

Modern humans out of Africa sooner than thought

Breakthrough for electrode implants in the brain

Researchers build a digital piece of brain









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.