Brian Barton
Pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the environment, including air, water, and land. It is caused by various factors, such as the burning of fossil fuels, industrial waste, agricultural chemicals, and plastic pollution. These pollutants have detrimental effects on both the environment and human health, particularly in children. Young individuals are more susceptible to the adverse effects of pollution due to their developing bodies and unique metabolic needs. The consequences of pollution exposure can be severe and range from respiratory issues, such as asthma and pneumonia, to more severe health problems, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. With over 8 million tons of plastic entering our oceans annually and air pollution contributing to respiratory issues, it is evident that pollution poses a significant threat to the well-being of children and the planet they will inherit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Quality Index (AQI) in Beijing | 200 |
| Air Quality Index (AQI) in the US | N/A |
| Beijing's air quality compared to other cities in the US | Beijing and Shanghai are more polluted than the two most polluted cities in the US |
| Number of cars in Beijing | 3.3 million |
| Number of new cars in Beijing per day | 1200 |
| Percentage of Beijing's air pollution caused by emissions from cars | 70% |
| Dangerous pollutants emitted by cars | Sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (e.g. PM10) |
| Population of Beijing | 16 million |
| Number of patients with respiratory illnesses at the Beijing Children's Hospital during one week in January | 9,000 |
| Percentage of these patients who had respiratory problems | 50% |
| Number of domes built by the International School of Beijing to cover athletic fields and tennis courts | 2 |
| Cost of the domes | £3 million |
| Number of patients at the Beijing marathon who dropped out | N/A |
| Average number of years a Beijinger will spend in ill health | 40% of their remaining years |
| Illnesses Beijingers are likely to suffer from | Cancer, cardiovascular or respiratory disease |
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What You'll Learn
- Beijing's air pollution is causing respiratory illnesses in children
- Air pollution is limiting children's physical activity and time spent outdoors
- Schools are adopting emergency measures to protect students from air pollution
- Beijing's topography traps pollution within the city, worsening air quality
- Economic growth and motor vehicles are major contributors to Beijing's air pollution
Beijing's air pollution is causing respiratory illnesses in children
Beijing's air pollution has been a cause for concern for many years, with some expatriates even turning down jobs or leaving the city due to the poor air quality. The pollution is caused by a combination of vehicle emissions, industrial activity, and unfavourable weather patterns. The impact of this pollution on children's health has been significant, with respiratory illnesses being a particular area of concern.
During a particularly smoggy week in January, the Beijing Children's Hospital admitted up to 9,000 patients a day for emergency visits, half of them for respiratory problems. The high levels of outdoor air pollution in Beijing have been positively associated with children's respiratory symptoms, including persistent coughs, phlegm, and asthma. Studies have found that certain air pollutants, such as TSP, SO2, and NO2, can increase the prevalence of these respiratory issues in children.
Schools in Beijing have been forced to implement emergency measures to protect their students from the harmful effects of air pollution. This includes cancelling outdoor physical education classes and building large sports domes to provide a space for students to exercise indoors when the air quality is poor. Some schools even bring in doctors to educate students about pollution and restrict outdoor play during periods of high smog levels.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been tracking air quality since 2013 to understand its impact on respiratory illnesses. They have published guidelines on unhealthy exposure to pollutants, with PM2.5 particles being of particular concern as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Beijing's air quality is often exacerbated by its topography, trapping pollutants in the city, and the high concentration of coal-burning industries nearby.
While there have been some improvements in Beijing's air quality in recent years, it still has a long way to go to ensure the health and safety of its residents, especially children, who are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. The government and industries must work together to implement measures to reduce emissions and improve air quality, ensuring a healthier future for Beijing's youth.
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Air pollution is limiting children's physical activity and time spent outdoors
Air pollution is a significant health risk for everyone, but children are especially vulnerable. Children are more physically active than adults and tend to spend more time outdoors playing, which increases their exposure to harmful air pollutants. Their developing lungs and weaker immune systems make them more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution, such as respiratory infections, asthma, and impaired lung growth.
In highly polluted cities like Beijing, air pollution has been reported to be so severe that it limits children's physical activity and time spent outdoors. During periods of high smog levels, some schools in Beijing have implemented measures such as cancelling outdoor physical education classes and barring children from playing outside. Parents also make decisions about their children's outdoor activities based on the daily air quality index, opting for indoor play spaces on days with poor air quality.
The impact of air pollution on children's health and well-being is a growing concern for parents and educators in Beijing and other polluted cities. Some parents have invested in air purifiers for their homes and even considered leaving the city or turning down job offers to reduce their children's exposure to harmful air pollutants. Elite schools in Beijing have constructed large sports domes to provide students with a space for physical activity during periods of high pollution.
While physical activity is essential for children's health, the risks associated with air pollution can be a limiting factor. Children in highly polluted areas may have fewer opportunities for outdoor play and physical education, potentially impacting their overall health and development. This issue highlights the urgent need for measures to reduce air pollution and protect children's health, such as improving indoor air quality in schools and utilizing green infrastructure to minimize children's exposure to harmful pollutants.
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Schools are adopting emergency measures to protect students from air pollution
Air pollution is detrimental to human health, particularly for children. In Beijing, China's capital, air pollution has soared, causing children's hospitals in the north of the country to report a large influx of patients with respiratory illnesses. Schools are adopting emergency measures to protect students from the harmful effects of air pollution.
The 3e International School in Beijing, for example, invites doctors to talk about pollution and restricts outdoor play during high smog levels. Similarly, 4 High School, a prestigious institution that has educated Chinese leaders and their children, now cancels outdoor physical education classes when the pollution index is high. Elite schools are also investing in infrastructure to provide students with a safe space to exercise during periods of poor air quality. Dulwich College Beijing and the International School of Beijing have constructed large sports domes and an accompanying building to accommodate around 1,900 students.
Schools in Beijing are not alone in their efforts to combat air pollution. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed programs and resources to help schools reduce their students' exposure to traffic-related pollution. The EPA's "Best Practices for Reducing Near-Road Pollution Exposure at Schools" program utilizes colored flags based on their Air Quality Index (AQI) to notify communities about outdoor air quality. Schools can raise a flag each day to indicate the air quality level, allowing students and staff to take necessary precautions.
These measures are crucial as school environmental conditions have immediate and long-term impacts on student health and learning. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the need for robust environmental health standards in schools to protect students from infectious diseases and other toxic insults. While voluntary adoption of rigorous environmental policies may not be feasible in all school systems, a holistic approach to environmental management in schools is necessary to safeguard students' well-being.
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Beijing's topography traps pollution within the city, worsening air quality
Beijing has long been known for its poor air quality, with its air pollution posing a threat to the health and well-being of its over 20 million residents. The city's rapid economic growth, population increase, and surge in vehicles have put immense pressure on its environment, especially its air quality. While Beijing has implemented various initiatives and policies to tackle this issue, its unique topography continues to pose challenges in maintaining healthy air quality for its residents.
Beijing's topography, surrounded by mountains, acts as a natural barrier that prevents the dispersion of pollutants. This topographic feature traps pollution within the city, contributing to the accumulation of air pollutants and the formation of smog. The complex terrain can also cause temperature inversions, where warm air sits above cooler air, further trapping pollutants near the ground. Numerical simulations have revealed that changes in regional topography, such as reductions in terrain height, can significantly impact pollution levels, especially during haze events.
Emissions from motorized vehicles, industrial activities, coal-burning factories, and construction contribute significantly to Beijing's air pollution. The transport sector accounts for nearly 70% of the city's air pollution, with dangerous pollutants including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter. The heavily industrialised province of Hebei, which surrounds Beijing, is home to major sectors like coal power, steel, cement, and glass manufacturing, releasing large amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere.
The combination of industrial emissions, traffic fumes, and Beijing's topography creates a complex web of challenges for the city. Seasonal weather patterns further impact air quality, with rising temperatures and humidity in spring and summer, along with winds, worsening the situation. The winds carry pollutants from the industrialised southern regions, and spring sandstorms from the Mongolian deserts exacerbate air pollution levels during this season.
The impact of Beijing's topography on air pollution is complex and influenced by various factors, including meteorological conditions and pollutant emissions. While the city has made strides in reducing pollution, such as curbing vehicle emissions, pushing electric mobility, and tightening standards on diesel truck emissions, the unique topography remains a critical factor in trapping pollution within the city and worsening air quality.
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Economic growth and motor vehicles are major contributors to Beijing's air pollution
Beijing's air pollution is a result of a multitude of factors, including economic growth and a surge in motor vehicles. China's economic growth in the past three decades has been the fastest among major nations, which is the main factor in why the country has extensive air pollution. Of the twenty cities with the worst air pollution worldwide, 16 are located in China, including Beijing. This extensive air pollution has led to China’s Environmental Sustainability Index ranking near the bottom among countries worldwide.
The dramatic economic growth in China has directly correlated with the increase in pollution. As China's wealth increased, so did its consumption and production, with the country becoming the world's largest automobile producer and consumer. This shift from bicycles to automobiles has had a detrimental impact on the environment, with a sharp rise in the number of vehicles on Beijing's roads. From 1998 to 2017, the number of vehicles in Beijing increased by 335%. The number of motor vehicles on Beijing’s roads has doubled to 3.3 million, with nearly 1200 added each day. Emissions from motor vehicles contribute to nearly 70% of the city’s air pollution. The four most dangerous pollutants emitted by motor vehicles include sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (e.g. PM10). Newly introduced vehicles have lower emission standards, emitting more pollutants into the atmosphere than older vehicles.
Beijing's air pollution has also been linked to the growth of heavy industry. China's rapid industrialization and economic growth have resulted in a reliance on inefficient and polluting industries, particularly in energy-intensive sectors such as coal power, steel, cement, and chemical production. Coal-burning factories also contribute to the smog present in Beijing. These factories rely on outdated and inefficient technologies and are located on the outskirts of the city. Beijing's topography, surrounded by mountains, traps pollution within the city limits. While economic growth and population increase have been key factors, the surge in motor vehicles remains an important aspect of Beijing's air pollution.
The Chinese government has recognized the urgency of tackling air pollution, especially after the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2013, the government announced a five-year action plan to address air pollution, aiming to reduce coal consumption and shut down polluting factories. This plan demonstrated a shift in priorities, acknowledging that the health of citizens and long-term sustainable growth were more critical than short-sighted economic gains. The government has taken aggressive measures, shutting down illegal coal mines, thermal power plants, and inefficient steel mills, while also investing in low-carbon and renewable energy sources. These efforts have yielded positive results, as average air pollution levels steadily decreased from their peak in 2013.
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Frequently asked questions
Children in Beijing are at risk of respiratory illnesses due to air pollution. Their lungs are still developing, and they breathe more deeply as they are more active and spend more time outdoors. Schools are adopting emergency measures, such as cancelling outdoor physical education classes and investing in infrastructure to keep children active indoors.
Some schools in Beijing have implemented measures such as installing air purifiers, building "antipollution domes", and cancelling outdoor activities on high-pollution days. Face masks are also becoming a common part of urban dress, with some masks featuring teddy bear designs.
Beijing is one of the most polluted cities in the world. It consistently out-pollutes the most polluted cities in the US, and China as a whole produces more pollutants than any other nation. Within China, Shanghai is also a highly polluted city, although it has fewer "very bad" days than Beijing.
Beijing has implemented air pollution control legislation and enforcement mechanisms since 1998, including closing high-pollution enterprises and restricting high-emission vehicles. In 2020, Beijing announced a new phase of climate change, focusing on carbon-peak, carbon-neutrality, and air pollution control. The Chinese government has also announced plans to spend 100 billion yuan over three years to tackle Beijing's pollution.
