The Air Pollution Problems in Beijing - Essay Example

The air pollution problems in Beijing Introduction In the previous ten years, Beijing has been trying to put in significant efforts to try and improve the quality of its air. The efforts have been able to bring out some positive impacts though at a very minimal rate. The air pollution in Beijing is articulately accounted for by the rapid developments in the economy as well as the advancements and increase in motorization. In the previous decades, Beijing has been suffering from various sources of air pollution. Among the sources that come top on the list are; coal combustion, exhaust from vehicles, and fugitive dust. The pollution is distinctively characterized by the enormous levels of pollutants from coal burning. These pollutants are the sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM), and the photochemical products like ozone (Leitte, Schlink and Franck 125). From December 1998, a series of comprehensive emergency air pollution precautions and control strategies have been set in place for the Beijing Municipal government improving or resulting in a significant progress in minimizing air pollution. For instance, the annual concentration of sulfur dioxide has decreased considerably from 120 g/m3 in the year 1998 to 50 g/m3 in 2005. This already meets the National Ambient air quality standards for China. It is currently being estimated that the anthropogenic emissions of sulfur dioxide in Beijing urban area reduced to 70% during the period. On the other hand, nitrogen oxide concentration and emissions are estimated to have reduced considerably being 15 and 16% respectively. However, China remains to be the largest emitter of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (Leitte, Schlink and Franck 125). Fig. 1 contrast of countries, emission of carbon dioxide Beijing, which is Chinas capital city, is an international metropolis with a vast population that is approximated to be slightly over 19 million. Air pollution is a major and mutual concern for all urban residents in many big cities worldwide. As discussed above, particulate matter (PM) remains to be the air pollutant that mostly causes negative health effects on people. PM10 and PM2.5 are the primary particulate matter pollutants. Particulate matter consisting of particles with aerodynamic diameters Read More