Air Pollution's Deadly Toll In China

Air pollution is a pressing issue in China, threatening the health of its citizens and the economy. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide annually, with China contributing significantly to this figure. In 2017, approximately 1.24 million deaths in China were linked to air pollution, with ambient PM2.5 pollution being the leading cause. Studies have shown a correlation between air pollution and various health issues, including respiratory infections, lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. China has made efforts to combat air pollution, particularly with the 2013 anti-pollution campaign, but the problem persists, and the impact on mortality rates remains a serious concern.

Ambient air pollution caused over 1 million deaths in China

Air pollution is a pressing issue in China, causing about 2 million deaths per year. Of these, more than 1 million are attributed to ambient air pollution, while another million are due to household air pollution from the use of polluting fuels and technologies for cooking. The problem is particularly severe in urban areas, with 81% of the population living in regions that exceed the WHO Interim Target 1 for air quality.

Ambient air pollution in China is driven by various factors, including industry, transportation, coal power plants, and domestic biomass burning. These sources contribute to high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5), which is deemed the most harmful component of air pollution. In 2019, ambient PM2.5 pollution alone was responsible for approximately 1.4 million premature deaths in China, according to the Global Burden of Disease study.

The impact of ambient air pollution on health is significant. It increases the risk of respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as other diseases like diabetes, lung cancer, ischaemic heart disease, and stroke. In 2017, it was estimated that ambient PM2.5 pollution caused 851,660 deaths in China, while ambient ozone pollution contributed to 178,187 deaths. The overall age-standardised death rate attributable to air pollution in China decreased by 60.6% between 1990 and 2017, driven by a decline in both household and ambient air pollution.

Despite some improvements in air quality during the Covid era, China continues to face an unprecedented environmental health crisis. The government has demonstrated a commitment to addressing the issue, with anti-pollution campaigns launched as early as 2013. However, the increasing trend of certain pollutants, such as ozone, persists, and the density of O3 tends to rise as PM2.5 concentrations decrease. This complex interplay between pollutants underscores the need for a comprehensive multi-pollutant emission reduction strategy.

Household air pollution from cooking fuels caused 1 million deaths

Air pollution is responsible for about 2 million deaths in China every year. Of those deaths, ambient air pollution alone caused more than 1 million deaths. Meanwhile, household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels and technologies caused another million deaths in the same period in China.

Household air pollution from cooking fuels is a significant issue in China, particularly in rural areas, where nearly all residents use solid fuels such as biomass and coal for cooking and heating. A smaller fraction of urban residents also rely on these fuels. As a result, indoor air pollution from solid fuel use in China is responsible for approximately 420,000 premature deaths annually, exceeding the number of deaths attributed to urban outdoor air pollution.

The use of solid fuels for cooking and heating leads to high levels of indoor air pollution. In households using open fires or inefficient stoves, the combustion of solid fuels generates harmful pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (sooty particles). Poor ventilation exacerbates the problem, with many Chinese households lacking proper flues or ventilation systems to vent smoke outdoors.

The health impacts of household air pollution from cooking fuels are significant. Exposure to indoor air pollution can cause respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a weakened immune system, and reduced lung function. Women and children, who typically spend more time cooking and collecting firewood, bear the greatest health burden from exposure to these pollutants.

To address this issue, China implemented the National Improved Stove Program (NISP) in the early 1980s, introducing over 180 million improved stoves with chimneys and blowers to promote more efficient combustion. While this program ended in the mid-1990s, there have been recent efforts to reduce the use of solid fuels for cooking. As a result, the proportion of households cooking with solid fuels decreased from 61% in 2005 to 32% in 2017.

China's air pollution impacts global health and the economy

China's air pollution has had a significant impact on both global health and the economy. It is estimated that around 1.24 million people died in China in 2017 due to air pollution, with over a million of those deaths attributed to ambient air pollution. The problem is not limited to China, as air pollution knows no borders. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that about seven million people worldwide die annually from air pollution.

The sources of China's air pollution are diverse, but industry, transportation, coal power plants, and household solid fuel usage are major contributors. China is the world's largest annual emitter of greenhouse gases and mercury. The country's rapid industrialization has led to intense levels of air pollution, creating serious social, economic, and political issues. The economic costs of air pollution are challenging to quantify, but studies have shown significant impacts. For example, the marginal welfare impact of ozone and particulate matter concentrations above background levels in China increased from a 1997 value of US$22 billion in 1975 to US$112 billion in 2005. This increase is due to the growing urban population and rising wages, which increase the value of lost labor and leisure.

China has taken steps to address air pollution, such as the 2013 anti-pollution campaign that focused on reducing PM2.5 levels, and air quality has improved during the Covid era. However, other pollutants like ozone are still a concern, and the increasing trend in their concentrations indicates a need for a multi-pollutant emission reduction strategy. The health impacts of air pollution in China are significant, with an estimated average loss of 1.25 years in life expectancy due to pollution levels in 2017. The impact is more pronounced in males, with an age-standardized death rate of 1839.8 per 100,000, compared to 1198.3 per 100,000 for females.

The Chinese government faces a delicate balance between economic growth and environmental and social welfare. While some progress has been made, air pollution remains a critical issue, affecting the quality of life and economies in China and globally. The health and economic impacts of air pollution in China are interconnected, and addressing this challenge is crucial for the country's sustainable development and the well-being of its citizens and the world.

China's air pollution is caused by industry, transportation, and coal plants

Air pollution is a pressing issue in China, causing an estimated 1.24 million deaths in 2017 alone. The problem is caused by a combination of factors, including industry, transportation, and coal power plants.

Industry is a significant contributor to China's air pollution. The industrialisation of China has led to various forms of pollution, causing widespread environmental and health issues. For example, the Chinese Ministry of Health has reported that industrial pollution has made cancer the leading cause of death in the country. The burning of fossil fuels by industries releases fine particles into the air, which can penetrate the lungs and cardiovascular system, causing diseases such as heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.

Transportation is another major factor in China's air pollution crisis. The immense urban growth in Chinese cities has substantially increased the number of vehicles on the road, leading to a rise in the burning of fossil fuels and the formation of smog. This smog contains harmful pollutants that pose a threat to the health of Chinese citizens.

Additionally, coal power plants play a significant role in China's air pollution. These plants release pollutants into the atmosphere, including particulate matter (PM2.5) and surface ozone (O3). While China has made some progress in reducing PM2.5 emissions, with concentrations dropping by 50% between 2013 and 2019, the lack of a multi-pollutant emission reduction strategy has caused O3 levels to rise during the same period.

The impact of air pollution on public health in China is severe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide each year, with China accounting for a significant portion of these deaths. In 2017, ambient air pollution alone caused more than one million deaths in China, while household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels and technologies caused an additional one million deaths. These deaths are attributed to various diseases, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.

While China has made some progress in improving air quality, particularly during the COVID-19 era, it continues to face an unprecedented environmental health crisis. Strong and coordinated action is required to address the issue and reduce the devastating impact of air pollution on the health and well-being of China's population.

China's air pollution is the worst in its major cities

China's air pollution problem is a major issue, particularly in its major cities, and it poses a significant threat to public health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 9 out of 10 people in China breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. This has severe consequences for the country's population, with air pollution causing about 2 million deaths in China annually.

A study by The Lancet Planetary Health analysed the impact of air pollution on deaths and life expectancy across China and its provinces from 1990 to 2017. The findings revealed that air pollution contributed to an estimated 1.24 million deaths in China in 2017 alone. The age-standardised death rate attributable to air pollution showed a decrease of 60.6% between 1990 and 2017, driven by a decline in both household air pollution and ambient PM2.5 pollution. However, the problem remains dire, as concentrations of PM2.5 still exceeded WHO Air Quality Guidelines for the entire population of China in 2017, and it is estimated that the average life expectancy in China would have been 1.25 years higher if pollution levels had been lower.

The sources of air pollution in China are diverse, with industry, transportation, coal power plants, and household solid fuel usage being major contributors. China's rapid economic development has led to a significant increase in emissions from power stations and vehicles. Notably, China's coal usage for power production is the highest in the world, with emissions from power stations not being subjected to filtration systems before release. This has resulted in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and those in the Hebei Province surrounding Beijing, consistently ranking among the most polluted in the country.

Despite these challenges, China has demonstrated a commitment to combating pollution. The government has invested heavily in recent years, with the Academy for Environmental Planning pledging over $277 billion in 2013. The anti-pollution campaign launched in 2013 focused on controlling PM2.5 levels, and it achieved a 50% reduction in average PM2.5 concentration by 2019. During the COVID era, China continued to make progress, and the average annual concentration of PM2.5 in major Chinese cities fell further to 29 μg/m³ in 2022.

While China's efforts to improve air quality are commendable, the problem of air pollution persists, and it continues to be a significant challenge in the country's major cities.

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