Air Pollution In China: Where Is The Worst?

China has long struggled with air pollution, which poses a significant threat to public health. In 2019, China ranked as the 11th dirtiest country in the world, with Beijing's air quality classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups for ten months of the year. The causes of China's air pollution are multifaceted, including economic growth, a rise in motorised vehicles, population expansion, and increased manufacturing outputs. While China has made notable progress in its war against pollution, with pollution levels down by 41% in 2022 compared to 2013, it remains a critical issue. This paragraph will explore the worst-hit areas and the ongoing battle against air pollution in China.

China's dirtiest city is Hotan, Xinjiang

China is the world's most populous country with approximately 1.4 billion people. It is also the fourth-largest country by area, so it is no surprise that the country struggles with air pollution. In 2019, China ranked as the 11th dirtiest country in the world. Beijing, for example, experienced Moderate levels of pollution for only two months, with the remaining ten months classified as "Unhealthy for sensitive groups".

Chinas' dirtiest city is Hotan, Xinjiang. Hotan is located in the far western region of China and is home to over 400,000 people. The city has seen some of the worst air pollution levels in recent times, with US AQI readings placing it in the "'unhealthy for sensitive groups' bracket. The PM2.5 count of 110.2 μg/m³ places it in the higher end of the 'unhealthy' ratings bracket. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter and is comprised of coagulated chemicals or other materials. This poses a huge threat to public health, especially for vulnerable groups such as those with poor health, children, the elderly, and pregnant women.

The main cause of Hotan's air pollution appears to be the frequent dust storms that occur in the region. The city is located near the Taklamakan desert, and sandstorms can appear spontaneously, causing visibility to drop to less than 100 meters in a very short time. In addition to the sandstorms, vehicle emissions also play a large role in pollution levels. Many vehicles in the region are aged, out of date, or run on unclean fuel sources due to a lack of stringent regulations. Freight vehicles such as lorries or trucks that move in and out of the city for industrial purposes also contribute to pollution levels, with their tires giving off thousands of tons of microscopic rubber particles.

The air quality in Hotan is measured by the Air Quality Index (AQI) using standards and guidelines developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The data is subject to change and may not be completely accurate due to equipment limitations and fluctuations. However, the extremely poor air quality in Hotan is undeniable and is heavily linked to the large amounts of fine and coarse particles in the air. This has significant implications for the health and lifespan of its citizens.

Beijing's air quality is poor

Beijing, China's capital, has extremely poor air quality. The city's air quality index (AQI) is consistently ranked high, indicating unhealthy levels of pollution. The United States Embassy in Beijing recorded an AQI level of 755 in 2013, deemed "Beyond Index". This level far exceeds the safe limit for particulate matter in the air, according to the World Health Organization.

Beijing's poor air quality is attributed to various factors, including industrial emissions, vehicle emissions, and unfavourable topography. The city is surrounded by mountains, trapping pollutants and exacerbating the issue. The rapid economic growth, population increase, and rise in motorised vehicles have also contributed significantly to the air pollution in Beijing.

Vehicle emissions play a significant role in Beijing's air pollution, accounting for almost 70% of the city's polluted air. The large number of registered vehicles in Beijing, approximately 3.3 million, continues to increase daily. Modern vehicles tend to be equipped with technology to reduce emissions, but the sheer number of vehicles on the road still contributes to the city's poor air quality.

Additionally, Beijing is home to numerous factories located on its outskirts and in nearby cities like Harbin and Hebei. The emissions from these factories are carried by winds into Beijing, further worsening the air quality. The Chinese government has implemented measures to address this issue, with more factories now required to install flue-gas desulphurisation technology to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions.

The consequences of Beijing's poor air quality are severe. The World Health Organization has tracked the impact of air pollution on heart disease, strokes, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses since 2013. The social and environmental well-being of Beijing's citizens is at stake, and the city has set air quality targets to improve the situation.

Industrial pollution causes cancer

China's rapid economic growth has had a detrimental impact on the nation's health, with air pollution posing a significant threat to public health. In 2019, China ranked as the 11th dirtiest country in the world, with Beijing residents experiencing "unhealthy for sensitive groups" air quality for ten months of the year. The primary sources of air pollution in China include the combustion of coal, fossil fuels burned in vehicle engines, and biomass combustion. Vehicle emissions contribute to almost 70% of Beijing's polluted air, with dangerous pollutants such as PM2.5, sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO).

The impact of air pollution on cancer incidence has been widely studied, particularly in China. Lung cancer is the most common cancer in China, and previous studies have indicated a correlation between lung cancer incidence and outdoor air pollution. Inhalable airborne particles (PM2.5 and PM10) have been positively correlated with lung cancer, with each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration resulting in a 15-27% increase in lung cancer mortality. Gaseous pollutants such as SO2, O3, CO, and NO2 have also been examined for their potential relationship with lung cancer.

China's "cancer villages" reveal the deadly impact of industrial pollution on cancer rates. In rural communities near polluting factories, residents have reported surging rates of cancer, with many blaming the toxic environment for their illnesses. For example, in Xinglong, a small rural community next to an industrial park in Yunnan province, residents have experienced increasing rates of cancer and attribute their illnesses to the poor air quality. Similarly, in Luliang City Industrial Park, locals blame the thicket of polluting factories for an outbreak of deadly tumours, noticing a decline in health alongside environmental degradation.

Studies have found a positive association between industrial waste gas emissions and cancer incidence in various sites, including the salivary gland, small intestine, colorectal, kidney, bladder, and thyroid. Chinese farmers are almost four times more likely to die of liver cancer and twice as likely to die of stomach cancer than the global average. The impact of industrial pollution on cancer rates in China is evident, with cancer cases surging in communities near dirty factories and industrial parks.

Air pollution causes premature deaths

China's rapid economic growth, industrialization, and urbanization have resulted in severe air pollution, particularly in large cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. In 2019, China ranked as the 11th dirtiest country in the world, with Beijing's air quality classified as "Unhealthy for Sensitive groups" for ten months of the year.

The primary sources of air pollution in China include the combustion of coal, fossil fuels burned in vehicle engines, factory emissions, and general biomass combustion. These pollutants, including PM2.5, sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO), pose significant risks to public health and have been linked to premature deaths.

Air pollution has been associated with respiratory and other diseases, including asthma, heart attacks, strokes, and cancers. Studies have confirmed the link between long-term exposure to air pollution and premature death, and emerging research suggests that even short-term exposure can be detrimental, particularly for older adults.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted a comprehensive study analyzing daily air pollution levels for over 39,000 zip codes and comparing pollution levels around the days of death for 22 million adults aged 65 and older. The results indicated a substantial increase in deaths within a 2-day period following intermittent increases in fine particles or ozone. The mortality rate was found to increase linearly with air pollution levels, emphasizing that any level of air pollution poses a health risk.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ambient (outdoor) air pollution and household air pollution combined are associated with approximately 6.7 to 7 million premature deaths annually. Outdoor air pollution alone caused an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths in 2019, with 68% attributed to ischaemic heart disease and stroke, 14% to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 14% to acute lower respiratory infections, and 4% to lung cancers. These deaths disproportionately impact individuals in low- and middle-income countries, with 89% of premature deaths occurring in these regions.

Addressing air pollution is crucial for protecting public health and reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases. Implementing policies and investments that support cleaner transport, energy-efficient homes, improved power generation, sustainable land use, and better waste management can effectively reduce key sources of air pollution and mitigate the risk of premature deaths associated with air pollution exposure.

Pollution impacts life expectancy

China's rapid economic growth, increase in motor vehicles, population growth, and manufacturing outputs have resulted in severe air pollution. In 2019, China ranked as the 11th dirtiest country in the world. Beijing, for instance, experiences unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups for ten months of the year.

The air pollution in China poses a significant threat to public health and is associated with reduced life expectancy. Fine particulate matter, PM2.5, is one of the most harmful constituents of air pollution, and long-term exposure to it has been linked to various chronic diseases, including stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017 identified particulate matter (PM) air pollution as the fourth leading risk factor for deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in China in 2017.

The impact of air pollution on life expectancy varies across China's provinces due to differences in pollution levels, background rates of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and population density. However, studies have shown that reducing PM2.5 concentrations can lead to significant improvements in life expectancy. For example, a 10% reduction in the national mean PM2.5 concentration in China is estimated to increase national mean life expectancy by 42.5 days, with gains of over 100 days in the most polluted cities.

China has made efforts to control emissions, and PM2.5 concentrations have decreased in recent years. Still, they continue to exceed the World Health Organization's (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines, with 81% of the population living in regions exceeding the recommended levels. To further improve air quality and increase life expectancy, China aims to implement sustainable development policies, reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

Frequently asked questions