Baosteel emission control significantly benefited air quality in Shanghai

As the largest iron and steel producer in China, a part of Baosteel moved out of Shanghai deserves close attention due to its environmental impact. To understand the effect of Baosteel emission control on air quality in Shanghai, daily PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, NO₂ and CO were measured from 2010 to 2016. Concentrations of pollutants in Baoshan District presented a decreased trend during 2010-2016, with a reduction rate of 28.6% for PM₁₀, 67.3% for SO₂, 8.6% for NO₂ and 42.0% for CO. However, fine particle pollution in Baoshan District during 2012-2016 seems to become more prominent, with PM_2.5 concentration of 47±28, 45±33, 38±24, 54±41 and 51±34μg/m3, respectively, indicating a slight increase of 8.5% in PM_2.5. Concentrations of PM₁₀ and CO decreased by 12.5% and 33.8% in the second half year in 2016 (compared with that in 2015) probably due to closure of blast furnace of Baosteel. Baosteel was identified as the largest pollution source in Baoshan District. Emission from Baosteel accounted for 58.0% of SO₂, 43.6% of NO₂ and 79.3% of dust in total emission from Baoshan District during 2010-2015. Meanwhile, pollutant emission and coal consumption from Baosteel decreased by 52.0% for SO₂, 40.1% for NO₂, 15.7% for dust and 22% for coal consumption. Energy consumption in Baoshan District reduced by 31% from 2011 to 2015. Air quality improvement in Shanghai was attributed to local emission reduction, together with regional air quality improvement.