Current City Problems in Beijing: Discussion of PM2.5 Related Toxic Air Pollution

Dan Zhu^*, Michael Kung

Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/cus.2014.24030                

Abstract

Recent reports show that an estimated one-fifth of the world’s population is suffering from toxic air pollution (Qu, 2013; Liu, 2013; Zhou et al., 2013). This is especially evident in China, where PM_2.5 covers one-seventh of China’s total territory. In order to combat this disaster, three aspects will be included in this paper to analyze Beijing’s air pollution management through a scientific and philosophical lens for the future human health in China. The first is to address the dangers of PM_2.5 to urban environment and city human health. The second approach is to discuss the causing factors of PM_2.5 in Beijing, such as coal burning, untreated industrial and vehicular emissions, and urban construction waste. The third step is to state the short and long term effective measures of toxic air pollution of PM_2.5 management in big cities of developing countries. Short term recommended plans stop unnecessary urban construction, reduce outdoor exposure, impose a heavy tax, and collect congestion pricing at peak hours. Long term recommended plans promote the coal gasification process, install smoke emission units, improve public transportation, and support clean energy, such as hydropower, wind power, and solar energy. Since current measures are ineffective, taken as a whole, these approaches will be presented to guide local residents, planners, and governors in developing countries to deal with the toxic air pollution for future healthy city management.

Keywords

Human Health, Toxic Air Pollution, PM2.5, Beijing, Pollution Management

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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