What caused the 2013 Eastern China smog?

Causes. Coal burning is a primary source of fine particle air pollution. It increased as the weather worsened during winter months and residents burned more coal to keep warm. This increased the amount of sulphate and nitrate (results of coal combusting), which led to higher PM2.5.

When did smog start in China?

Dur- ing the 1970s, black smoke from stacks became the characteristic of Chinese industrial cities; in the 1980s, many southern cities began to suffer serious acid rain pollution; and recently, the air quality in large cities has deteriorated due to nitrous oxides (NOx), car- bon monoxide (CO), and photochemical smog.

Why is Beijing so foggy?

The energy consumption in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region mainly relies on fossil energy such as coal and oil. The fog-haze in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is largely caused by vehicle emissions, and the contribution of vehicle exhaust to PM2.

How bad is the smog in China?

Beijing’s peak average daily AQI in 2020 reached 262, which the EPA considers very unhealthy. High levels of air pollution take a major toll on public health. A study by the Health Effects Institute found that unhealthy levels of PM2. 5 led to roughly 1.42 million premature deaths in China in 2019.

What is smog made of?

Smog, formed mainly above urban centres, is composed mainly of tropospheric ozone (O3); primary particulate matter such as pollen and dust; and secondary particulate matter such as sulphur oxides, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ammonia gas.

Who has coined the term smoke?

Etymology. Coinage of the term “smog” is often attributed to Dr. Henry Antoine Des Voeux in his 1905 paper, “Fog and Smoke” for a meeting of the Public Health Congress.

Why is China so smoggy?

China has made some improvements in environmental protection during recent years. The immense urban growth of Chinese cities substantially increases the need for consumer goods, vehicles and energy. This in turn increases the burning of fossil fuels, resulting in smog.

Why is the air bad in China?

Poor air quality is a man-made problem. Growing numbers of vehicles and factories are fueled by coal and are the primary sources of the country’s dangerously high levels of air pollution.

What’s the cleanest country in the world?

1. Denmark. With a total EPI score of 82.5, Denmark is 2020’s cleanest and most environmentally friendly country.
2. Luxembourg. Luxembourg has made significant progress in reducing the negative impacts on its environment despite its rapid population and GDP growth.
3. Switzerland.
4. United Kingdom.
5. France.
6. Austria.
7. Finland.
8. Sweden.

Why is China so overpopulated?

Overpopulation in China began after World War II in 1949, when Chinese families were encouraged to have as many children as possible in hopes of bringing more money to the country, building a better army, and producing more food.

When was the smog outbreak in China in 2013?

In January 2013, China experienced massive fog and haze outbreak affecting about 600 million people and covering seventeen provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, a fourth of China’s territory. On 12 September 2013, the State Council announced the “Air Pollution Prevention Plan”.

What was the air pollution in China in 2013?

Airports, highways, and schools were closed. In January 2013, China experienced massive fog and haze outbreak affecting about 600 million people and covering seventeen provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, a fourth of China’s territory. On 12 September 2013, the State Council announced the “Air Pollution Prevention Plan”.

Why is there so much smog in Beijing?

The Chinese Academy of Sciences indicated that smog in Beijing is a combination of both artificial factors and natural factors. While various causes such as coal burning and car emissions come from human activity, natural causes such as the humid weather and a lack of wind also contributed to the smog. 4 salts.

What was the Chinese PM2.5 level in 2013?

Throughout the year, PM2.5 was so consistently high that the measurement “entered into mainstream Chinese life,” as Angela Hsu, a doctoral candidate at Yale University, told the Guardian. Hsu’s research of Chinese social media site Sina Weibo found that the term “PM 2.5” went from 200 mentions in January 2011 to 3 million in January 2013.