A Study of Smog Issues and PM_2.5 Pollutant Control Strategies in China

David Hu, Juyuan Jiang

Blue Valley Southwest High School, Overland Park, USA.
School of Automation Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, China.

DOI: 10.4236/jep.2013.47086                

Abstract

The increased occurrence of smoggy days in major Chinese cities is of major concern to the general public. This paper explores the major sources of PM_2.5 pollutants, a key contributor to the smog in Beijing, one of China’s largest cities. Evidence indicates that the secondary PM_2.5 particles formed through NO_x, SO_x, NH₃, VOCs, etc. have a strong impact on human health. As a result, PM_2.5 pollution control should not simply focus on controlling particulate emission, but should involve adopting an integrated multi-pollutant control strategy. In addition to identifying the major sources of PM_2.5, this paper explores its impact on environmental and human health. Although the intention of this research is not to provide solutions for reducing PM_2.5 pollution, the paper analyzes the United States’ experience with establishing PM_2.5 standards and mandates. Specifically, this paper focuses on the air quality control strategies adopted in California since the 1940s and draws parallels with present-day China. The research suggests that adequate government regulation, public awareness, regional collaboration and industrial compliance are keys to successfully controlling PM_2.5 pollution.

Keywords

PM_2.5; Smog; Air Quality Control; Multi-Pollutant Control; Coal Combustion; Vehicle Emission; Beijing; China

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Y. Li, “Smog Weather, Be Aware of PM2.5 Pollution,” Food & Health (Chinese), 2012, pp. 9-11.
[2]	S. Liu, “Why China, US Argue over PM2.5 Data,” 2012. http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/2012-06/08/content_25598211.htm
[3]	H. Li, B. Bai and L. Cheng, “Beijing Experienced 124 Days in 2012, the Highest in Last 10 Years,” Legal Evening News (Chinese), 14 January 2013.
[4]	Y. Ye, “Study of Decreasing PM2.5 Emission from Thermal Power Plant,” Electric Power Construction, Vol. 33, No. 2, 2012, pp. 49-52.
[5]	H. Ji, H. Zhao, S. Kong, Z. Bai and B. Han, “Seasonal Variation of Inorganic Composition in Ambient Particulate Matter in Tianjin Offshore Area and Its Source Analysis,” China Environmental Science, Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 177-185.
[6]	S. Wang and J. Hao, “Air Quality Management in China: Issues, Challenges, and Options,” Journal of Environmental Sciences, Vol. 24, No. 1, 2012, pp. 2-13. doi:10.1016/S1001-0742(11)60724-9
[7]	Q. Luo, “ 25 Smoggy Days Occurred in January 2013,” Beijing Daily, 1 Februry 2013
[8]	Z. Bai, B. Wang and S. Du, “Status of PM2.5 Pollution in China,” Environmental-China Newspaper, 21 February 2012.
[9]	B. D. Keim, L. D. Meeker and J. F. Slater), “Manual Synoptic Climate Classification for the East Coast of New England (USA) with an Application to PM2.5 Concentration,” Climate Research, Vol. 28, 2005, pp. 143-154. doi:10.3354/cr028143
[10]	Xinhua News, “Beijing Population Tops 20.69 Million”, 2013. http://www.china.org.cn/china/2013-01/21/content_27747807.htm
[11]	J. Gong and Z. Cui, “ China Goes to War on PM2.5,” 2012. http://english.caixin.com/2012-02-27/100361100.html
[12]	D. Li, P. Qi and X. Huang, “The Preliminary Discussion of Preventive Countermeasures on Airborne Fine Particles PM2.5,” Contaminations Control and Air Conditioning Technology, Vol. 4, 2005, pp. 34-36.
[13]	AP News, “Japan Seeks Cooperation with China on Smog Problem,” Gulf News, 9 February, 2013.
[14]	Case Study, “Comparison of the EU and US Approaches Towards Control of Particulate Matter,” 2005. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/cafe/activities/pdf/case_study4.pdf
[15]	Y. Li, “Construction Dust Accounted for 15.8% of PM2.5 Particles, Beijing Authority Reinforce Construction Waste Management,” 2013. http://www.bj.xinhuanet.com/bjpd_sdzx/2012-02/20/content_24742145.htm
[16]	Y. Huang, S. Fan, J. Qin, B. Yan, G. Li and G. Tian, “Study of Pollution from Deconstruction of Residential and Commercial Buildings,” Technology Development for Beijing’s Green Olympic Environmental Protection, 2006, pp. 1-7.
[17]	T. Zhang, “China’s Cement Industry Suffers from Overcapacity,” 2013. http://english.cntv.cn/program/bizasia/20130130/103129.shtml
[18]	S. Feng and Z. Wang, “Cement Industry, From Expansion to Merger,” 21st Century Economic Report, 2011.
[19]	M. L. Bell and D. L. Davis, “Reassessment of the Lethal London Fog of 1952: Novel Indicators of Acute and Chronic Consequences of Acute Exposure to Air Pollution,” Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 109, Suppl. 3, 2001, pp. 389-394.
[20]	M. Fu, F. Zheng, X. Xu and L. Niu, “Advances of Study on Monitoring and Evaluation of PM2.5 Pollution,” Meteorology and Disaster Reduction research, Vol. 34, No. 4, 2011, pp. 1-6.
[21]	“Study on Premature Deaths Reveals Health Impact of PM2.5 in China,” 2012. http://www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/press/releases/climate-energy/2012/air-pollution-health-economic/
[22]	Research Report, “Economic Analysis on Implementation of PM2.5 Standard,” Institute of Environmental and Economic Research, Beijing University, Beijing, 2011.
[23]	US EPA, “National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter: Proposed Decision,” Federal Register, Vol. 61, No. 241, 1996.
[24]	Final Report, “Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Final Revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter,” 2012.
[25]	US EPA’s Technology Transfer Network, “National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS),” 2013. http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/pm/s_pm_index.html
[26]	California Environmental Protection Agency, “Air Resources Board.” http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm
[27]	Z. Chen, “74 Chinese Cities Release Real-Time PM2.5 Data,” 2013. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-01/01/c_132075595.htm
[28]	D. Evarts, “Regional Approaches for Improving Air Quality,” Second US-China NOx and SO2 Control Workshop, Dalian, 2005.
[29]	J. Hao, “Air Pollution Control Strategy in China,” Tsinghua University Report, 2008. http://www.landecon.cam.ac.uk/research/eeprg/cleed/pdf/HAO%20Jiming_Air.pdf
[30]	S. Yu, R. Mathur, K. Schere, D. Kang, J. Pleim, J. Young, D. Tong, G. Pouliot, S. A. McKeen and S. T. Rao, “Evaluation of Real-Time PM2.5 Forecasts and Process Analysis for PM2.5 Formation over the Eastern United States Using the Eta-CMAQ Forecast Model during the 2004 ICARTT Study,” Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 113, No. D6, 2008, pp. 1-20. doi:10.1029/2007JD009226