Beijing targets for reduced air pollution levels.
The Chinese capital of Beijing has for long been dogged by the problem of air pollution, people walking with face masks is not an uncommon site for the densely populated city.
However, reports now claim that the fine particulate pollutant intensity in Beijing is all set to drop to the internationally recognized safe level in the next 16 years.
The head of the Beijing Municipal Research Institute of Environmental Protection, Pan Tao, said that the concentration of PM2.5 particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 grams or less per cubic meter, will reduce to 35 micrograms per cubic meter by 2030.
Pan said, “Improving air quality in the city is not going to be an easy task”. The head of Beijing Municipal Research Institute of Environmental Protection was talking at the 2014 Beijing International Academic Symposium on Urban Environment. Pan added that it takes time and effort to “turn the ship around.”
According to the World Health Organization the concentration of PM2.5 must not be more than 35 micrograms per cubic meter. Air quality which has higher intensity is considered as unhealthy especially for older people with heart and lung problems. The Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau said that the intensity of PM2.5 in 2013 was 89.5 micrograms per cubic meter.
The recently released plan of the bureau said that the intensity of PM2.5 is to be reduced to 60 micrograms till 2017. Pan added that the 2017 target is still harmful for the people’s health, but achieving the goal is a challenge.
Photo Credits: Smithsonianmag
