CHINA TOPIX

11/22/2024 04:29:11 am

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Greenpeace: China's Air Pollution Thins Out but Beijing Still Most Polluted

Everlasting air pollution in Beijing

(Photo : AP) This photo shows the severe air pollution in Beijing.

Recent reports reveal data from the Chinese government shows the air pollution looming over Beijing decreased significantly during this first quarter of the year compared to last year's first quarter.

Environmental protection organization Greenpeace also confirms the particulate matter (PM2.5) found in China's capital fell by as much as 13 percent during the first three months this 2015 as opposed to 2014's first quarter.

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This particulate matter, PM 2.5, is a unit used to measure pollution found in an area where 2.5 represents 2.5 micrometers or less. Highly dangerous to humans, this material can penetrate the body and invade the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

According to Zhang Kai from Greenpeace East Asia in Beijing, this significant decrease in pollution can be attributed to the Chinese government's efforts that have been effective in curbing air pollution levels across the nation. Pollution levels in industrial areas were also reduced, especially in Beijing and provincial neighbor, Hebei.

This new Greenpeace study also reveals that among the 74 cities observed and monitored last year, some cities have shown improvements by presenting an average 48 percent decrease in air pollution. Hebei, which is also one of the main contributors of air pollution in Beijing, registered a 32 percent decrease in PM2.5 levels.

Greenpeace still notes that while the decrease of air pollution in the capital is apparent, Beijing is still considered one of the most polluted cities in China. The organization still believes the air quality in the city remains a health hazard for locals.

Researchers from Greenpeace East Asia have analyzed the air pollution levels in 367 Chinese cities and completed a ranking according to their amount of particulate matter based on data from China's Ministry of Environmental Protection.

The findings showed that out of all the cities monitored and analyzed, 360 cities had a PM2.5 concentration of 66 micrograms per cubic meter, which is twice from the standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter for the whole nation.

This result was also twice the amount of the exposure limit of 25 micrograms per cubic meter during a period of 24 hours, according to the World Health Organization.

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