Air Pollution: China's Global Rank Revealed

Air pollution is a pressing issue in China, causing an estimated 2 million deaths annually. The nation's rapid economic development and industrialization have resulted in excessive emissions of greenhouse gases, with coal being the largest contributor. China's air quality has been deemed non-compliant with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, and it is working to reduce pollution through various measures. Despite improvements, China's air pollution remains a significant concern, impacting public health, economies, and quality of life.

China's air pollution: a threat to public health

Air pollution is a major issue in China, posing a huge threat to public health. It is responsible for about 2 million deaths in the country annually, with ambient air pollution causing more than 1 million deaths and household air pollution causing another million. China's air pollution is attributed to various factors, including the country's rapid economic growth, the rise in the number of motorised vehicles, population growth, increased manufacturing outputs, and the combustion of fossil fuels, particularly coal.

The health risks associated with air pollution include adverse cardiovascular, respiratory, pulmonary, and other health-related issues. The impact of air pollution on health differs between Eastern and Central/Western China. In Central/Western China, good air quality during spring and summer positively impacts health, while poor air quality during autumn and winter has a negative association. The duration of good air quality is crucial for improving public health, and policies should focus on prolonging periods of healthy air quality while managing and reducing severe air pollution.

China's air pollution has resulted in a surge in diseases, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular conditions, leading to an increased demand for health services. This, in turn, places a greater economic burden on the government. The Chinese government has recognised the significance of this issue and has implemented strategies to address regional air pollution, considering public health and environmental concerns as national priorities.

In recent years, China has made significant progress in its "war against pollution," with particulate pollution (PM2.5) decreasing since 2014. Between 2013 and 2017, PM2.5 levels dropped by 33% in at least 74 cities, and by 2019, the average PM2.5 concentration had further improved to 42.1 µg/m³. These improvements are expected to increase the average life expectancy of Chinese citizens by 2 years compared to 2013 if sustained.

However, challenges remain. China's overall particulate pollution average meets its national standard of 35 µg/m³, but it still exceeds the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 5 µg/m³. Almost all of China's 1.4 billion people live in areas where annual average particulate pollution levels exceed the WHO guideline. If pollution levels are not addressed, China could lose 3.6 billion total life years.

Causes of China's air pollution

Air pollution in China is a major problem and poses a huge threat to public health. China's air pollution has been found to not only increase deaths in China but also in neighbouring countries, such as South Korea.

China's air pollution can be attributed to a number of factors. Firstly, the enormous economic boom that the country is currently experiencing has led to a large increase in the number of motorised vehicles. In Beijing, there are 3.3 million vehicles registered, with this figure increasing by 1200 each day. Vehicle emissions contribute to almost 70% of Beijing's polluted air, with the most dangerous emissions being PM2.5, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Modern vehicles tend to be fitted with technology that reduces dangerous emissions, but older vehicles continue to contribute to air pollution.

Secondly, population growth in China, especially in large cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, contributes to air pollution. The population in Beijing alone has risen from 11 million to 16 million in just 7 years and continues to increase annually.

Thirdly, the increase in manufacturing outputs has led to more emissions from power stations. Factory emissions are considerably higher than those recorded in other industrialised countries, as they are often not subjected to any type of filtration system before release. China's power is largely produced by coal, with approximately 66% coming from this source. In 2014, the annual tonnage of coal used was 4 billion, more than the rest of the world combined.

Finally, natural reasons, such as the surrounding topography and seasonal weather, also play a role in China's air pollution. For example, during the colder months, Chinese communities rely on coal-burning heating sources, which produce fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can affect people's health. In East Asia, transboundary air pollution is boosted in the fall and winter by prevailing west winds, which carry pollution to neighbouring countries.

China's war against pollution

China's rapid economic growth and development have resulted in severe air pollution, causing adverse health, environmental, and socioeconomic impacts. In 2014, Premier Li Keqiang declared a "war against pollution", marking a shift in the country's long-standing policy of prioritizing economic growth over environmental concerns. This announcement was made during a nationally televised conference, indicating the government's recognition of the issue's urgency.

China's air pollution has multiple causes, including the economic boom, a surge in motor vehicles, population growth, increased manufacturing, and the burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal. The health effects of air pollution are well-documented, with exposure linked to increased health risks, including adverse cardiovascular, respiratory, and pulmonary outcomes. The economic and social costs of pollution have also been significant.

Since the declaration of war on pollution, China has made remarkable progress. Between 2013 and 2017, PM2.5 levels were reduced by 33% in at least 74 cities, and they fell by a further 10% the following year. By 2021, China's fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) had decreased by 39.8% since 2014, and pollution levels were 41% lower in 2022 than in 2013. These improvements are expected to increase the average life expectancy of Chinese citizens by two years, provided they are sustained.

However, challenges remain. China's particulate pollution average meets its national standard of 35 µg/m³, but it still exceeds the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 5 µg/m³. Almost all of China's 1.4 billion people live in areas where annual average particulate pollution levels exceed WHO guidelines. As a result, China could lose 3.6 billion total life years if current pollution levels persist.

To address these issues, China has relied on command-and-control measures to swiftly reduce pollution. As China enters the next phase of its war on pollution, minimizing the economic and social costs of pollution reduction will be crucial for the long-run durability of its actions. Market-based approaches may play a more significant role in this phase.

Air pollution and life expectancy

Air pollution is a pressing issue in China, largely due to the country's rapid economic growth, increase in motorised vehicles, population growth, and manufacturing outputs. China's air pollution problem has resulted in severe health consequences for its citizens, with an estimated average reduction in life expectancy of 1.32 years as of 2019. This figure varies across China, with residents of certain cities experiencing an even greater loss in life expectancy due to the higher levels of pollution in those areas. For instance, in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, the average person is expected to lose 4.3 years of their life compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline.

The primary sources of air pollution in China include the combustion of coal, the burning of fossil fuels in vehicle engines, and biomass combustion. China's reliance on coal is particularly notable, with approximately 66% of the country's power generated from this source. In 2014, China's coal usage was higher than the rest of the world combined. The emissions from power stations are significantly higher than those recorded in other industrialised nations due to the lack of filtration systems.

The Chinese government has recognised the severity of the problem and has made notable progress in recent years in its war against pollution. Between 2013 and 2017, PM2.5 levels were reduced by 33% in 74 cities, and a further 10% reduction was achieved in 2018. As a result of these improvements, the average Chinese citizen is expected to live 2 years longer compared to 2013, provided that pollution levels continue to decrease.

However, despite these improvements, air pollution in China still poses a significant threat to public health. Almost all of China's 1.4 billion people live in areas where annual average particulate pollution levels exceed the WHO guideline. If current pollution levels persist, China could lose a total of 3.6 billion life years. Additionally, while China's overall particulate pollution average meets its national standard of 35 µg/m³, it still significantly surpasses the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.

The relationship between air pollution exposure and life expectancy is complex and multifaceted. Several factors, including age, sex, underlying health status, smoking habits, and diet, influence this relationship. Nevertheless, air pollution is a leading cause of death globally, and its impact on life expectancy is comparable to other significant drivers of death and disease, such as tobacco use. Reducing air pollution is crucial to improving the health and longevity of populations, especially in heavily polluted areas.

China's progress in reducing air pollution

China has made significant progress in reducing air pollution in recent years. In 2013, China announced a "war against pollution", and since then, the country has seen remarkable improvements in its air quality. According to the Air Pollution Action Plan released in September 2013, China aimed to reduce PM10 pollution in cities of prefecture-level or higher by 10% or more on 2012 levels by 2017. They also targeted a reduction in PM2.5 levels, a dangerous atmospheric particulate matter, in the populous Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze Delta, and Pearl River Delta areas by 25%, 20%, and 15%, respectively. By 2017, these goals had been achieved, and the country continued to make progress.

Between 2013 and 2017, PM2.5 levels were reduced by 33% in at least 74 cities, with Beijing seeing a 35% drop. The following year, it fell by a further 10%. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area, one of China's most polluted areas in 2013, saw a 53.1% reduction in particulate pollution, which, if sustained, would result in a gain of 4.4 years of life expectancy for its residents. China's fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) has been decreasing since the country announced its war on pollution in 2014, with pollution levels down by 41% compared to 2013.

China's success in reducing air pollution has had a positive impact on the country's life expectancy. If the current improvements are sustained and pollution levels are brought down to the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), the average life expectancy in China could increase by 2 years. This is a significant achievement, considering that China has long been known as one of the most polluted countries in the world.

However, despite this progress, China still has a long way to go in its battle against air pollution. While the country's overall particulate pollution average complies with its national standard of 35 µg/m³, pollution levels still exceed the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. As a result, air pollution continues to pose a threat to public health, with 99.9% of China's population living in areas where annual average particulate pollution levels exceed the WHO guideline. To address this, China introduced its Three-year Action Plan for Winning the Blue Sky War in 2018, which applies to all the cities in the country and targets further reductions in PM2.5 levels and other pollutants.

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