Helena Joyce
China's rapid economic growth in the past few decades has resulted in extensive air, land, and water pollution. The country's environmental sustainability index is ranked near the bottom among countries worldwide, with 16 of the 20 cities with the worst air pollution being located in China. The Chinese government has responded with policies aimed at reducing air pollution, including the closure of polluting mills, factories, and smelters, as well as the implementation of emergency measures in Beijing, such as mandatory factory closures and bans on motor vehicles on heavily polluted days. While these policies have shown some positive effects, the overall level of air pollution in China remains a significant issue, affecting not only its own citizens but also the health of residents in neighbouring countries like South Korea.
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What You'll Learn
- Air pollution kills an estimated seven million people globally each year
- China's air pollution affects the health of residents in neighbouring countries like South Korea
- China's waterways are largely unfit for direct human use due to industrial discharges
- China's economic growth is a major factor in its extensive air pollution
- China is the world's leading generator of plastic waste
Air pollution kills an estimated seven million people globally each year
Outdoor air pollution is estimated to cause between 3 million and almost 9 million deaths per year. It is caused by power generation, transportation, industry, residential heating and cooking, agriculture, and waste burning. For example, the burning of fossil fuels, the use of dirty indoor cooking and heating fuels, and the burning of trash and dirty cookstoves all contribute to air pollution.
Particulate matter, or PM, is a major contributor to air pollution. These are very small particles made up of sulfate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust, and water that are suspended in the air. The smallest particles, known as PM2.5, can penetrate the lung barrier and enter a person's bloodstream, causing serious health issues. Exposure to air pollution increases the risk of strokes, heart and lung disease, and cancer. It can also cause asthma, bronchitis, and acute and chronic respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath and painful breathing.
China, as the world's leading annual emitter of greenhouse gases and mercury, is a significant contributor to global air pollution. The country's rapid economic growth has been fueled by energy-inefficient and polluting industries, resulting in severe air pollution that threatens the health of its citizens and the global economy. Beijing, the capital of China, has been particularly affected by poor air quality, with residents resorting to wearing masks to protect themselves from harmful pollutants.
To combat air pollution, China has implemented measures such as reducing coal consumption, closing polluting mills, factories, and smelters, and transitioning to eco-friendly energy sources. These efforts have shown some success, with a 23.6% decrease in PM2.5 levels in 74 key cities between 2013 and 2015. However, China still faces challenges in managing its toxic waste and air pollution levels, and its policies have global implications.
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China's air pollution affects the health of residents in neighbouring countries like South Korea
China's air pollution has had a significant impact on the health of residents in neighbouring countries, including South Korea. Transboundary air pollution, boosted by prevailing west winds during fall and winter, carries fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from China to South Korea, affecting the health of its residents.
PM2.5 pollution, originating from coal-powered plants and heating sources in China, has been linked to increased health risks, including higher mortality rates and depression among the elderly in South Korea. Research has shown that for every one microgram per cubic meter increase in PM2.5 pollution, there is a corresponding 0.6% increase in mortality rates in South Korea. This has resulted in approximately 300 fewer deaths per million people annually since 2015, saving South Korea an estimated $2.6 billion per year.
China's ""war on pollution"" policies have contributed to a decrease in transboundary air pollution affecting South Korea. These policies, implemented since 2014, have resulted in a 9.6 microgram per cubic meter reduction in pollution levels from 2015 to 2019. However, it is noted that Chinese cities with higher pollution levels that were more likely to be blown outwards by westerly winds saw less reduction in pollution. This highlights a strategic aspect to China's pollution reduction efforts, focusing more on cities where pollution tends to stay within the country's borders.
While China's pollution reduction policies have had positive effects on neighbouring countries, the remaining pollution that does cross borders continues to impact the health of residents in South Korea. The westerly winds bring persistent winds from China to South Korea, resulting in higher pollution levels and subsequent health consequences. This transboundary pollution has been a significant challenge for South Korea, and the new studies provide valuable insights into the impact of air pollution on the health of residents in neighbouring countries.
Overall, China's air pollution has had measurable effects on the health of residents in South Korea, and the collaboration between the University of Chicago and the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has helped to quantify these impacts and highlight the importance of strong pollution reduction policies in improving health outcomes in the region.
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China's waterways are largely unfit for direct human use due to industrial discharges
In 2018, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) reported that 6.9% of China's river basin surface water was "Below Grade V" quality, meaning it was too polluted for any use. A further 18.9% was only suitable for agricultural or industrial applications. The Hai River basin, which includes Hebei and Tianjin's major industrial areas, is China's most polluted river basin. More than half of the basin's surface water is unfit for drinking. The nearby Liao River basin, the second most polluted, has seen the proportion of "Below Grade V" water increase from 5.4% in 2013 to 22.1% in 2018.
China's lakes are also heavily polluted. Lake Tai, the country's third-largest freshwater lake, is one of the most contaminated. A 2018 analysis by the MEE found that while surface water quality had improved, 19% was still unfit for human consumption, and 7% was unfit for any use. Industrial pollution has wreaked havoc on China's water supply, and the country faces significant water stress.
China's industrial processes have made it the world's largest emitter of mercury, a neurotoxin. Its coal-burning power plants pollute the air, water, and soil, posing a major public health threat. China also produces and exports vast amounts of plastic products, accounting for nearly 30% of the world's total. It is estimated that at least 13% of China's domestic plastic waste is dumped directly into the environment, amounting to millions of tons per year.
Water security issues have caused tensions with neighbouring countries. China's upstream damming of the Brahmaputra River, which flows into India and Bangladesh, has raised concerns in India about potential alterations to the river's flow. China's activity along the Mekong River, which flows into several Southeast Asian countries, has also come under scrutiny.
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China's economic growth is a major factor in its extensive air pollution
China's rapid economic growth has resulted in immense environmental degradation, with air pollution presenting serious social, economic, and political problems. The country's industrialization and urbanization have led to intense levels of air pollution, particularly in major cities like Beijing, which has dangerously poor air quality.
China's economic growth has historically been fuelled by fossil fuels and energy-inefficient, polluting industries, causing serious air pollution issues. The country is the world's leading annual emitter of greenhouse gases and mercury, with its coal-burning power plants being a significant contributor. China's dependence on manufacturing and heavy industries has resulted in increased energy consumption and physical capital expansion, further exacerbating air pollution.
The adverse health effects of air pollution have a negative impact on economic growth. Studies have shown that severe pollution during the 1990s reduced the average life expectancy in northern China by 5.5 years, with increased rates of stroke, heart disease, and cancer. Air pollution also imposes significant costs on public and environmental welfare, and addressing it requires trade-offs between economic growth and social and environmental well-being.
However, China has taken measures to improve air quality and address its environmental challenges. Since 2013, the country has targeted the reduction of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and implemented stricter policies for monitoring and controlling air pollution. Beijing, for example, has aimed to reduce PM2.5 levels and decrease coal consumption by shutting down polluting industries. These efforts have resulted in a decrease in PM2.5 concentrations in key cities, indicating some success in China's efforts to balance economic growth with environmental concerns.
Additionally, China has made strides in the management and control of harmful chemicals and waste. It has implemented stricter policies for the disposal of hazardous materials, medical waste, and plastic waste, contributing to its green development goals. China's progress in air pollution control demonstrates its commitment to ecological civilization, with a strategic shift towards air quality management and addressing global climate change.
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China is the world's leading generator of plastic waste
China is the world's most populous country and the biggest plastic producer and consumer globally. It is, therefore, no surprise that the country generates the largest amount of single-use plastic waste in the world. China's plastic waste is starkly evident and is attributed to its high production and consumption of plastics.
China's plastic waste generation was approximately 6.3 billion tons in 2015, of which 12% was incinerated, 79% was buried, and only 9% was recycled. In 2019, China generated around 26.74 million tons of plastic waste, with an estimated per-person waste generation of about 18 kilograms per year. China's contribution to global plastic waste does not end with its waste generation. The country is also the largest source of mismanaged plastic waste and the biggest offender of ocean plastic pollution.
China's rapid industrial development since the end of the 20th century has led to a surge in plastic production and demand. The country is home to about a third of the world's companies operating single-use plastic production facilities. One of the most notable producers is Sinopec, a state-owned oil and gas firm that was the third-largest single-use plastic waste producer in the world in 2019, churning out about 5.3 million tons of plastic waste.
China has recognized the urgency of its "plastic control" situation and has implemented ambitious policies to address the issue. In 2018, China banned recycling plastic imports, which has had a significant impact on global plastic pollution and management. This ban has pushed developed countries to reduce and reuse their plastic waste and find alternative destinations for their waste, such as African and Southeast Asian nations. China has also introduced a series of policies and regulations to reduce plastic waste emissions and achieve economic development while mitigating plastic waste generation.
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Frequently asked questions
China's economic growth in the past three decades has been the fastest among major nations, which is the main factor in its extensive air pollution.
The World Bank stated in a 1997 report that "hundreds of thousands of premature deaths and incidents of serious respiratory illness have been caused by exposure to industrial air pollution". The Chinese Ministry of Health has also stated that industrial pollution has made cancer China's leading cause of death.
The four most dangerous pollutants are sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (e.g. PM10).
The Chinese government has implemented a plan to tackle air pollution, with the main goal of reducing coal consumption by closing polluting mills, factories, and smelters and switching to other eco-friendly energy sources.
China's pollution has a significant impact on its neighbouring countries, such as South Korea, which receives persistent winds from China that carry air pollution.
