Multicontaminant air pollution in Chinese cities
Lijian Han1, Weiqi Zhou1, Steward Ta Pickett2
1State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
Bulletin of the World Health Organization
|April 27, 2018
Summary
Multicontaminant air pollution affects over half of China's urban population. This study highlights the need for multicontaminant assessments and protective measures during urbanization.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Urban Planning
Background:
- Air pollution in Chinese cities poses a significant public health risk.
- Understanding the extent of multicontaminant exposure is crucial for effective mitigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate multicontaminant air pollution in Chinese cities.
- To quantify the urban population affected by air pollution.
- To explore the relationship between air pollution and urban population size.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from China's air quality monitoring network for 155 cities in 2014.
- Assessed concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), coarse particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3).
- Defined high concentrations as exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guideline limits.
Main Results:
- 51% (142 million) of the study population experienced annual multicontaminant concentrations above WHO limits.
- High daily levels of multiple pollutants occurred frequently, particularly in eastern China.
- Multicontaminant air pollution was surprisingly less prevalent in megacities (>10 million population) than in smaller cities.
Conclusions:
- Multicontaminant air pollution is widespread in Chinese urban areas.
- A shift towards evaluating the health effects of multicontaminant exposures is necessary.
- China should implement protective measures to address air pollution during ongoing urbanization.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Air-entraining Agents
276
Air-entraining agents improve the durability and workability of concrete in climates with frequent freezing and thawing. These agents prevent cracks by introducing small air bubbles into the mix, creating spaces accommodating water expansion when temperatures drop. The air-entraining agents lower the surface tension of water, forming stable, small air bubbles. This method is more effective than having accidental large voids, as the intentional, smaller, and evenly distributed air voids improve...
276
01:28Effects of Air-entrainment in Concrete
397
Air entrainment in concrete significantly enhances the material's durability, especially in environments subjected to freeze-thaw cycles. Introducing small air bubbles into the concrete mix acts as internal voids that accommodate the expansion of water when it freezes, thereby alleviating internal stress and preventing structural cracks. This function is crucial in climates with significant freezing and thawing, as it protects the concrete from repeated stresses that could lead to premature...
397
01:23Measurement of Air Content in Concrete
679
Air content measurement in concrete is critical for ensuring structural integrity and durability of concrete structures, especially in environments prone to severe weather conditions. Accurate air content analysis optimizes concrete's resistance to freeze-thaw cycles and enhances its workability and strength. Several methods are standardized under ASTM guidelines to measure the air content in fresh concrete, each suitable for different concrete types and conditions.
The pressure method,...
The pressure method,...
679
02:23The Soil Ecosystem
25.0K
Plants obtain inorganic minerals and water from the soil, which acts as a natural medium for land plants. The composition and quality of soil depend not only on the chemical constituents but also on the presence of living organisms. In general, soils contain three major components:
25.0K
00:46Bioremediation
22.4K
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
22.4K
01:50Global Climate Change
29.0K
Throughout its ~4.5 billion year history, the Earth has experienced periods of warming and cooling. However, the current drastic increase in global temperatures is well outside of the Earth’s cyclic norms, and evidence for human-caused global climate change is compelling. Paleoclimatology, the study of ancient climate conditions, provides ample evidence for human-caused global climate change by comparing recent conditions with those in the past.
29.0K