Air Pollution in China

Introduction

Air pollution refers to a condition of the Earth’s atmosphere where harmful or excessive quantities of substances, including biological molecules, particulates, and gases, are released. As the Chinese economy gained pace, it experienced a parallel growth in energy consumption as well. This energy consumption was heavily reliant on coal, and as the population increased, the growth in vehicle numbers placed a heavy burden on the urban atmosphere in China, signaling a major environmental issue (He, 2002).

Environmental and Socio-environmental Impact

As coal remained the major source of energy, constituting 75% of the energy sources, China’s atmosphere was predominantly filled with coal smoke, with high levels of suspended particulate matter (PM) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). This posed a major concern for outdoor public health. The World Bank estimated the total health cost associated with this situation to be 520 billion Chinese yuan, accounting for 3.3% of China’s total GDP. This condition worsened in urban cities due to industrialization. In 2004, the annual average concentration of PM10 in urban cities was 140 micrograms per cubic meter of air (compared to 70-75 being the average). This polluted air caused multiple health hazards, including changes in respiratory function, lung function, immune function, and other clinical symptoms (Kan, 2009).

According to research by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), air pollution caused 1.1 million premature deaths in China along with destroying about 20 million tonnes of wheat, soybean, rice, and maize (Kao, 2018). Furthermore, the long-term exposure to pollutants has been linked to chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive environmental policies.

Solutions

Currently, the situation in China is improving, and potential advancements in technology in the future could bring significant improvements in air quality, resulting in better public health conditions. These improvements are expected as the country shifts from business-as-usual (BAU) to advanced coal gasification technologies (ACGT). This transition will essentially reduce coal emissions in the air, leading to improved air quality (Wang, 2006). Moreover, China's commitment to increasing the use of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power is a positive step towards a sustainable future.

References

He, K. (2002). Air pollution in China: Challenges and progress. Environmental Management, 30(5), 720-731.

Kan, H. (2009). Health impacts of outdoor air pollution in China: Current knowledge and future research needs. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(5), A187-A188.

Kao, J. (2018). The impact of air pollution on agriculture in China. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 92, 343-358.

Wang, X. (2006). Advanced coal gasification technologies in China: Development and prospects. Energy Policy, 34(15), 1947-1955.