Heated debate raged among Chinese experts on Wednesday over why severe pollution is being seen more frequently in China.
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The ongoing pollution “red alert” in Beijing may affect northern Japan, a model of weather patterns suggests, although pollutants will be well within safe limits when they arrive.
China’s environment ministry said pollutants were reduced by a third in Beijing during this week’s temporary restrictions to reduce heavy smog, which included taking half the city’s cars off the roads.
Beijing imposed the red-alert – the highest on a four-colour scale – following a forecast of high pollution for three consecutive days.
Noxious smog particles may drift to Hokkaido and elsewhere, according to a new simulation of air currents in the region, but residents do not need to be alarmed, the government said.
On Tuesday, Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI), which has stayed around 330, was higher than Beijing’s according to the Central Pollution Control Board although the two AQIs are not directly comparable.
Many drivers continued to defy the vehicle restrictions – 3,690 vehicles were found in violation of the even-odd license plate policy in Beijing on Tuesday – and a number of schools chose to open despite a board of education order to remain closed through Thursday. But the red alert was issued suddenly on Monday night, leaving families scrambling to find childcare since both parents work in many Beijing households.
A grey soupy haze subsumed Beijing’s unique landmarks, convenience stores sold air-filtering masks at brisk rates and health-food stores promoted pear juice as a traditional Chinese tonic for the lungs.
Most of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the burning of coal for electricity and heating – particularly when demand peaks in winter – which is also the key cause of smog.
Air pollution warnings could have a devastating effect on health and the city’s economy..
Japan will continue to support China’s efforts to cut air pollution through trilateral cooperation with South Korea, he said.
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“We raised over 10,000 yuan (HK$12,000) for the purifier”, said Wu.
