Sunday, June 1, 2014

Air pollution in China: scientific and policy changes

5/20/14
MIT
Tong Zhu, Peking University

The haze and 2.5 micrometer particulate pollution affects large areas, 1000km by 600 km in some cases.
Air pollution as a cause of death is 7th in the world, 4th in China
Some studies show that black carbon may be more harmful than previously expected and smaller particles (<.5 micrometer) are also more harmful
And black carbon in combination with other pollutants seems to be more harmful. Other effects may be because the aging of black carbon as its composition changes under sunlight and other influences
In Beijing, it's black carbon in winter, dust in spring and photochemical smog in the summer
Surface winds in eastern China has decreased in the last 50 years, amplifying air pollution
Unstable air days also decreasing.  Air structures becoming more stable
Decreasing number of winter cold fronts in Beijing since 1980s
Present models don't match recent observations of ozone, particulates.  Unknown methods of propagation
Black carbon from agricultural burning upwind of Beijing may be a contributor to the increasing stability of air
First national air pollution action plan released in 9/13
Integrating multi-pollutant control with climate change and energy production benefits
No one organization dedicated to continuous and consistent research on air pollution control:  Beijing Univ advanced inst for regional air study (AIRS)

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