Air Pollution In Beijing: Causes, Effects, And Solutions

Beijing has long been considered one of the most air-polluted cities globally, earning the nickname Airpocalypse. The city's air pollution is caused by a combination of industrial emissions from surrounding heavy industries, vehicle emissions, and geographical factors. The air pollution in Beijing has severe health implications for its over twenty million inhabitants, causing respiratory illnesses, heart disease, strokes, and lung cancer. While China has made significant progress in reducing air pollution in recent years, with Beijing dropping out of the top 200 most polluted cities in 2019, the city still experiences high levels of air pollution, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of nearly 109 in 2020.

Where

Beijing, the capital of China, is located in the northeast corner of the country. The city's air pollution is caused by a combination of factors, including an enormous economic boom, a surge in the number of motor vehicles, population growth, output from manufacturing, and natural reasons such as the city's surrounding topography and seasonal weather.

The number of motor vehicles on Beijing's roads has doubled to 3.3 million, with nearly 1200 added each day. Emissions from these vehicles contribute to nearly 70% of the city's air pollution. The four most dangerous pollutants emitted by these vehicles include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. Newly introduced vehicles have lower emission standards, emitting more pollutants into the atmosphere than older models.

Coal-burning factories on the outskirts of Beijing and the nearby cities of Harbin and Hebei also contribute to the smog. The city's topography, surrounded by mountains, traps pollution within its limits. Air quality worsens in spring and summer when temperature and humidity levels rise, and winds carry pollutants from the industrialized southern regions.

Beijing has implemented various measures to combat air pollution, including the introduction of bike-sharing schemes, the expansion of its subway system, and the implementation of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) that restrict access for polluting vehicles. The city has also embraced electrification, with ambitious plans to electrify all public transportation and eventually taxis, trucks, and other vehicles.

While Beijing's air pollution remains a significant issue, the city's efforts to improve air quality have been notable, providing valuable lessons for other cities facing similar challenges.

Why

Beijing's air pollution has been attributed to a combination of industrial emissions and traffic fumes. The city is surrounded by Hebei, a heavily industrialised province that includes coal power, steel, cement, and glass manufacturing. These industrial emissions, combined with exhaust fumes from crowded roads, have led to air pollution becoming a regular feature in the daily lives of Beijing's over twenty million inhabitants.

In 2018, vehicle emissions were blamed for approximately 45% of Beijing's air pollution, and this figure had dropped to 38.7 μg/m3 in 2020. The total number of vehicles in China reached 360 million in 2020, making vehicle emissions a major contributor to air pollution, especially in larger cities.

Another significant factor is the presence of coal-burning industries to the south and east of Beijing. The city's air pollution is often exacerbated by a combination of topography, weather patterns, and proximity to these polluting industries. Pollutants from factories in these areas are carried by winds into Beijing and trapped by mountains to the north and west.

In addition, China's rapid expansion of coal-powered electricity generation, with the construction of new power plants, will likely result in coal-powered industries continuing to be a major source of pollution and carbon emissions. Despite plans to reduce coal consumption, the amount of coal consumed by China increased in 2017 and 2018.

However, it is important to note that Beijing has made significant progress in reducing air pollution in recent years. In 2016, only 84 out of 338 prefecture-level cities attained the national standard for air quality. By 2018, those same 338 cities enjoyed good air quality on 79% of days, and Beijing experienced its lowest PM2.5 on record in August 2019. This improvement can be attributed to various factors, including the switch from coal to natural gas, afforestation measures, and China's position as the world's largest producer of electric cars.

Who

Beijing, China's capital city, is home to over twenty million people. In 2013, the air pollution in Beijing was so severe that a government account tweeted it was "crazy bad". The air pollution levels, as measured by PM2.5 levels, were 22 times higher than the World Health Organization's guidelines. On 1 January 2013, the US Embassy in Beijing recorded a PM2.5 level of over 755, and by 12 January, this had risen to 800.

The main causes of Beijing's air pollution are industrial emissions from heavy industries such as coal power, steel, cement, and glass manufacturing in Hebei, the heavily industrialised province that surrounds Beijing. The pollutants from factories in Hebei are often carried by winds into Beijing and trapped there by mountains to the city's north and west. In addition, the total number of vehicles in China reached 360 million in 2020, making vehicle emissions a major contributor to air pollution, particularly in larger cities. According to China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, vehicle emissions were responsible for about 45% of Beijing's air pollution in 2018.

However, Beijing has made significant progress in reducing air pollution in recent years. From 2013 to 2017, fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) in Beijing fell by 35%, and by 25% in surrounding regions. This progress is attributed to millions of homes and businesses switching from coal to natural gas, afforestation measures, and China's position as the world's largest producer of electric cars. By August 2019, Beijing experienced its lowest PM2.5 on record—a low of 23 micrograms per cubic meter. As a result, Beijing is on track to drop out of the top 200 most polluted cities by the end of 2019.

What

Beijing, China's capital city, has long been known for its high levels of air pollution. The air pollution in Beijing is caused by a combination of industrial emissions and traffic fumes. The city is surrounded by heavily industrialised areas, such as Hebei, which are home to coal power, steel, cement, and glass manufacturing industries. The emissions from these industries, coupled with the exhaust fumes from the ever-growing number of vehicles on the road, have led to dangerously high levels of air pollution in Beijing.

In 2013, Beijing's air pollution levels averaged 100 ug/m3, which is 10 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended level of 10 ug/m3. On some days, the pollution levels were even higher, with readings of up to 700 and 800 recorded at individual stations in January 2013. The pollution was so bad that a government account tweeted it was "crazy bad".

The health implications of air pollution are severe. The fine particles in the polluted air can penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system, causing various diseases, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections. In China, air pollution is responsible for about 2 million deaths per year, with ambient air pollution alone causing more than 1 million of those deaths.

However, there have been some improvements in recent years. From 2013 to 2017, fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) in Beijing fell by 35%, and it continued to decrease further in the following years. This improvement is attributed to various factors, including the switch from coal to natural gas, afforestation measures, and the production of electric cars. By the end of 2019, Beijing was on track to drop out of the top 200 most polluted cities, and the air pollution levels dropped even further in early 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns.

How

Beijing, China's capital city, has long suffered from poor air quality, with pollution levels that are alarmingly high. In 2013, the air pollution was so severe that a government account tweeted it was "crazy bad". The city's air pollution is caused by a combination of factors, including industrial emissions, vehicle emissions, and unfavourable geographical conditions.

Industrial emissions from heavy industries such as coal power, steel, cement, and glass manufacturing in the surrounding province of Hebei are a key contributor to Beijing's air pollution. These emissions release harmful particulates into the air, such as PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers in size), which can have significant health impacts. In January 2013, Beijing recorded PM2.5 levels of nearly 1,000 μg per cubic meter, far exceeding safe levels.

Vehicle emissions are another major culprit, particularly in larger cities like Beijing. With the total number of vehicles in China reaching 360 million in 2020, the concentration of exhaust fumes in the air has become a critical issue. According to the China Ministry of Ecology and Environment, vehicle emissions were responsible for about 45% of Beijing's air pollution in 2018.

Additionally, Beijing's geographical location exacerbates the problem. The city is surrounded by a large concentration of coal-burning industries to its south and east. The pollutants from these factories are often carried by winds into Beijing and trapped by the mountains to the north and west of the city. This natural basin-like formation makes it difficult for the polluted air to disperse, leading to a build-up of harmful particulates.

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