Q&A - Beijing Haze in Jan 2013

· Q1: How severe is the air pollution in Beijing?

• BJ EPB & MEP data: Jan. 12 - API -174, pm_2.5 - 456, Jan. 13 - API – 498; PM_2.5 level rose above 300 since Jan. 10, and reached 700 on Jan. 12, and stayed at 250 on Jan. 14 morning. (http://www.bjepb.gov.cn/portal0/tab188/; http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hqpl/zggc/2013-01-14/content_8024128.html)
• US Embassy data for BJ: Jan. 12 -PM_2.5 728. (http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/082208esth.html)
• BJenvironmental monitoring center: regional air pollution - air pollution level has reached the heavily polluted level in many cities in the middle and east regions in China, in particular, the environmental protection cities; long duration - Jan. 10 till 16; high pollution level. (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hqpl/zggc/2013-01-14/content_8024128.html)

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Q2: What causes to the haze?
A press conference was held at the morning of Jan 14,2013 with the attendance of Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau (BJ EPB), BJ Economic Commission, BJ Transport Commission, BJ Housing and Construction Commission, BJ Sanitation Bureau, BJ Transport Management Bureau and BJ Urban Management Enforcement Bureau. BJ Environment Monitoring Center explained the reason for the BJ haze:
(http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hqpl/zggc/2013-01-14/content_8024128.html)
o The key reason for this haze is due to the large pollutants emissions caused by power plants, vehicles, industries, and dusts. In particular, the extremely cold weather which started in December 2012 in the North China led to more heating supply, generating more emissions.

• Moreover, the dispersion conditions were not good in BJ, so the pollutants were accumulated in the air, which is the direct cause of this haze in BJ.
• Regional air pollution is another important reason for this haze. The air pollution level of neighboring regions/cities (Tianjin city and Hebei province) has remained higher than that of BJ, especially the cities north to BJ.

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Q3: What response measures have been taken by Beijing?
At the above press conference, it was announced that BJ has started the Beijing Response Plan (http://zhengwu.beijing.gov.cn/yjgl/yjya/t1295465.htm) for Heavy Air Pollution, and various government agencies introduced the key measures taken: (http://news.sina.com.cn/o/2013-01-14/173526031604.shtml)
o Fourteen inspection teams were dispatched to 14 districts and counties to oversee the pollution-reduction measures on Sunday, the bureau added.
o Require heavy polluting enterprises to reduce emission by 30%. Among them, 58 key enterprises (involving building materials, metallurgy, and chemicals) under emission reduction monitoring have stopped production, and 41 enterprises have reduced production and reached the 30% emission reduction target.
o Require 30% of vehicles owned by the government agencies and government affiliated institutes to stop running on the road, and provide more public transport in the mean time.
o Outdoor sports activities for primary and middle schools were ordered to be halted from Sunday to Tuesday in extreme pollution areas, including Tongzhou, Miyun, Daxing, Mentougou and Fangshan districts, the municipal authorities said.
o Suggestions provided to the public: do not go out unless necessary; wear masks when going out; and vulnerable groups such as elders, minors and people with chronic disease should see doctors if feeling uncomfortable.
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Q4: What are the emission sources of PM_2.5?

• BJ environmental monitoring center: large pollutants emissions are caused by power plants, vehicles, industries, and dusts. (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hqpl/zggc/2013-01-14/content_8024128.html)
• Prof. Hu Min, Peking University: BJ PM_2.5 emission sources are dusts, power plants, vehicles and biomass burning, but the fossil fuel consumption accounts for 60-70%. (http://news.xinhuanet.com/local/2013-01/14/c_114360181.htm)