2013 Eastern China smog

Air pollution event in eastern China October 2020 2013 Eastern China smog File:Chinahaze_tmo_2013341_lrg.jpg This 7 December 2013 image from the NASA's Terra satellite shows the severity of smog blanketing Eastern China. December 2013 East China Lack of cold air flow, air masses carrying industrial emissions 0-10 The 2013 Eastern China smog was a severe air pollution episode that affected East China, including all or parts of the municipalities of Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin, and the provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, and Zhejiang, during November and December 2013. A lack of cold air flow, combined with slow-moving air masses carrying industrial emissions, collected airborne pollutants to form a thick 350 micrograms per cubic metre; in some areas, they were 500 to 900 micrograms per cubic metre. It was one of the worst bouts of air pollution in the area, cutting visibility and causing major disruption in transportation and daily activities. Airports, highways, and schools were closed. Background 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.China Will Establish Network To Monitor Smog's Health Effects (我国将建立雾霾健康影响监测网络) http://www.infzm.com/content/95493 Southern Weekly Chinese 29 October 2013 7 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131213073054/http://www.infzm.com/content/95493 13 December 2013 On 12 September 2013, the State Council announced the "Air Pollution Prevention Plan".(Authorized Release) Air Pollution Prevention Plan ((授权发布)大气污染防治行动计划) http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2013-09/12/c_117349304.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20130916021403/http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2013-09/12/c_117349304.htm 16 September 2013 Xinhua News Agency Chinese 12 September 2013 7 December 2013 China limited the fine particulate matter level, and the Chinese government officials' assessment index included improving the environment for the first time.Strictest in History: "Air Pollution Prevention Plan" Introduced (史上最严：《大气污染防治行动计划》出台) http://www.infzm.com/content/94377 Southern Weekly Chinese 13 September 2013 7 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131213070810/http://www.infzm.com/content/94377 13 December 2013 On 4 November 2013, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the China Meteorological Administration jointly released the "Green Paper on Climate Change: Addressing Climate Change (2013)". It stated that the fog and smog in China had increased in the past 50 years with the number of fog-free days significantly reduced, while that of the smog days were significantly increasing with the phenomenon of persisting smog days. The fastest growing fog and smog days occurred in the Pearl and Yangtze River Delta regions, which are the most industrialized areas. The report also indicated that the main reason of increased fog and smog days is the yearly increase in fossil fuel consumption in China. The report calls for urgent implementation of regional joint prevention and control measures to effectively solve the air pollution crisis.Green Paper on Climate Change States Causes and Effects of Smog Days (气候变化绿皮书指出雾霾天原因及危害) http://www.infzm.com/content/95690 Southern Weekly Chinese 5 November 2013 7 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131213072253/http://www.infzm.com/content/95690 13 December 2013 Weather Smog started accumulating over the second half of November and first weekend of December 2013. On the last days of November in Beijing the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed the level of 999. In Shanghai AQI crossed the threshold of 350 on 2 December.October 2020 The lingering smog also left the air qualities in neighboring cities, such as Nanjing, Jiaxing, at seriously polluted levels. The National Meteorological Center (NMC) issued yellow alert for smog and fog, the third most serious alert in China's four-tiered system.Smog and fog hit east, north China http://www.china.org.cn/environment/2013-12/06/content_30814209.htm 29 March 2014 Xinhua News Agency 6 December 2013 PM2.5 particulate levels reached their highest point on 6 December 2013, with Shanghai reaching a high of 507.https://twitter.com/CGShanghaiAir/status/408811882850426880 12-06-2013 12:00; PM2.5; 507.0; 504; Beyond Index (at 24-hour exposure at this level) Con Gen ShanghaiAir 6 December 2013 24 March 2014 The U.S. Embassy categorizes air quality readings over 300 as hazardous to all humans, not just those with heart or lung ailments. According to a NASA Terra Satellite image, the thick haze stretches over Eastern China, across a distance of around 1200 km.http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=82535 Smog Shrouds Eastern China Earth Observatory 10 December 2013 24 March 2014 The polluted air appears gray on the image and most of the pollution is trapped in the lower boundary layer of a few hundred meters. 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. Research suggests that 41% of the carbon that made up these high PM2.5 levels in Shanghai were also from coal burning.Cao, J.-J., Zhu, C.-S., Tie, X.-X., Geng, F.-H., Xu, H.-M., Ho, S.S.H., Wang, G.H., Han, Y.-M., Ho, K.-F. (2013). Characteristics and sources of carbonaceous aerosols from Shanghai, China. Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 803–817, 2013 Additionally, there were pollution from industrial sources. Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong, Henan and many eastern provinces are heavy coal-burning regions. Research shows that prevailing winds blew low-hanging air masses of factory emissions (mostly SO2) towards the east coast of China.http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/newsdesk/energy/data/map-shanghais-charts-air-pollution Map: Shanghai's off the charts air pollution Greenpeace 6 December 2013 24 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140307155938/http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/newsdesk/energy/data/map-shanghais-charts-air-pollution 7 March 2014 Regional transportation also had a significant impact on air quality. The State Environmental Protection Administration investigates tens of thousands of polluters every year, shutting down thousands of the worse offenders, but has failed to reach its target of reducing emissions by 2 percent."China shuts down thousands of firms for pollution offences". People Online. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 22 October 2014. In 2011, a factory manufacturing solar panels in Zhejiang province had been shut down because of toxic emissions of fluorine polluting air and water, sickening nearby residents."Solar panel plant shut down as residents protest". People Online. 19 September 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2014. Effects on major cities and provinces Shanghai thumb|Smog in Huangpu District, Shanghai, 6 December 2013 Air in Shanghai was reported to have a strange taste – astringent and smoky, with an aftertaste of earthy bitterness.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/07/shanghai-smog_n_4402477.html Shanghai Smog Hits Extremely Hazardous Levels HuffPost 7 December 2013 24 March 2014 It was possible to feel the dust-like particulate matter on tongues. With such a high concentration of air pollutants, government authorities warned residents of health symptoms, such as coughing and headaches. Citizens were advised to wear protective masks and use air purifiers. Many sanitation workers were required to wear dust masks during work early in the morning. Schools were closed as the government ordered children to stay indoors and reduce outdoor activities as much as possible. Construction work was halted, and authorities pulled nearly one-third of government vehicles from the roads. A majority of inbound flights were cancelled and more than 50 flights were diverted at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1374386/children-and-elderly-told-stay-home-severe-smog-continues-envelop?_ga=1.70899472.1277584320.1394050026 Shanghai grinds to a halt as smog nears top of air pollution scale South China Morning Post 7 December 2013 24 March 2014 Nanjing The heavy smog greatly polluted central and southern Jiangsu Province, especially around Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province. AQI remained at "severely polluted" for five straight days, "heavily polluted" for nine, and hit a record-breaking value of 331. PM10 also went over 500 at times.https://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/6632-Environmental-officials-deny-blame-for-eastern-China-smog Environmental officials deny blame for eastern China smog China Dialogue 6 January 2014 24 March 2014 On 3 December 2013, levels of PM2.5 particulate matter averaged over 943 micrograms per cubic metre,长三角遭遇重度霾 专家称石油化工和尾气是主因 http://finance.people.com.cn/n/2013/1213/c66323-23828723.html 人民网（转载自《新京报》） 2013-12-13 2013-12-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20131216062505/http://finance.people.com.cn/n/2013/1213/c66323-23828723.html 16 December 2013 decreasing to over 338 micrograms per cubic metre on 4 December. http://www.chinanews.com/tp/hd2011/2013/12-04/272975.shtml 中国出现入冬以来最大范围雾霾 局地严重污染 (Smog levels in China reach record levels since the end of 2013; surrounding areas severely polluted) China news agency Liu Chen-yao Chinese Between 3:00 pm, 3 December and 2:00pm, 4 December local time, several expressways from Nanjing to other Jiangsu cities were closed, stranding dozens of passenger buses in Zhongyangmen bus station.https://news.qq.com/a/20131205/001551.htm 我国25个省现雾霾 江苏成污染重灾区全国最严重 腾讯转现代快报 吴怡、刘伟伟 From 5 to 6 December, Nanjing's air pollution stayed at red alert, suspending classes in all middle and primary schools and kindergartens. Experts say these figures indicate high levels of dust on construction sites. Children's Hospital outpatient services increased by 33 percent; the general incidence of bronchitis, pneumonia, upper respiratory tract infection increased significantly.http://news.xinhuanet.com/yzyd/legal/20131206/c_118457444.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20131222103925/http://news.xinhuanet.com/yzyd/legal/20131206/c_118457444.htm 22 December 2013 雾霾天南京学校停课 儿童医院门诊量上升三分之一 新华网 孙莹 The smog dissipated 12 December.http://www.shanghai.gov.cn/shanghai/node2314/node2315/node4411/u21ai820642.html 12日后受冷空气和降雨影响 南方大范围雾霾将告一段落 上海政府网 4 July 2014 14 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131214025727/http://www.shanghai.gov.cn/shanghai/node2314/node2315/node4411/u21ai820642.html Officials blamed the dense pollution on lack of wind, automobile exhaust emissions under low air pressure and coal-powered district heating system in North China.http://news.xinhuanet.com/local/2013-12/07/c_118458506.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20131222103923/http://news.xinhuanet.com/local/2013-12/07/c_118458506.htm 22 December 2013 三问今冬十面"霾"伏 人民日报海外版 综合本报和新华社电 Jiangxi Visibility was reduced to less than 50 meters. Many highways in East China's Jiangxi province were closed.https://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-12/05/content_17154391.htm Smog and fog hit east, north China China Daily 5 December 2014 24 March 2014 thumb|Air contamination in Ningbo, Zhejiang, 7 December 2013 Environmental impacts The severe smog is raising awareness in re-assessing China's air pollution. On 12 February 2014, China's cabinet announced that government will implement a series of measures aimed at shifting the primary energy source from coal to natural gas and renewables. Pricing mechanisms will be used to favor cleaner alternatives to coal. Financial incentives will be offered to encourage green energy companies. The government will place tougher controls over emissions and better support for developing clean technologies. It will also set up a 10 billion renminbi (US$1.7 billion) fund to help companies to meet new environmental standards.Qiu, Jane. Fight against smog ramps up (Nature, 18 February 2014). Pollutants thumb|right|200px|Heavy smog obscures the top of Shanghai Tower PM2.5, a particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, is one of the major components of the air pollution in Eastern China, contributing to the growing smog problem in large areas across cities.The socioeconomic drivers of China's primary PM2.5 emissions Environmental Research Letters 9 2 024010 10.1088/1748-9326/9/2/024010 2014 Guan Dabo Su Xin Zhang Qiang Peters Glen P. Liu Zhu Lei Yu He Kebin 2014ERL.....9b4010G free 11250/2465273 free The composition of PM2.5 particles varies, and they are often made of heavy metals and various toxic compounds, such as lead and sulfate. Small particles can be suspended in the air for long periods of time due to their low masses. While some particles such as large-size carbon may be seen as soot and smoke, most of them can only be detected with a microscope. 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.http://www.china.org.cn/video/2013-02/19/content_27995340.htm Toxic compound found in Beijing smog China.org.cn 6 May 2016 A study in 2005 in Beijing showed that PM2.5 is mostly composed of carbon, SO4 2− salts, NO3 − salts, and NH4 + salts. PM2.5 is a byproduct of the process of coal burning from power stations and produces significant amounts of sulfate, black carbon, ammonium, and nitrate. In 1989, 32.7% of PM2.5 particulates in Beijing came from burning of coal, which decreased to 16.4% in 2000, as people started to use cleaner energy such as natural gas. Automobile exhaust also significantly contributed to the smog problem.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282414458 Chemical characteristics of PM2.5 species in Beijing ambient air Beijing GM Research and Development Center 6 May 2016 Chan Chak 48090–9055 More importantly, such chemicals, along with organic carbon released from coal burning, may react with each other in the air, creating more toxic, harmful particles made of SO4 2− and NO3 −.http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/13/4631/2013/acp-13-4631-2013.pdf Characteristics of concentrations and chemical compositions for PM2.5 in the region of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, China Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 6 May 2016 PM2.5 particles are small enough to pass through the human respiratory system and reach the lung, causing problems like heart attacks and asthma attacks.https://www3.epa.gov/pmdesignations/basicinfo.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20040625040641/http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/basicinfo.htm 25 June 2004 Fine Particle (PM2.5) Designations US Environmental Protection Agency 6 May 2016 In northern China, people live, on average, 5.5 years fewer than those in southern China, because of the over-reliance on burning coal for heating systems, which produces huge amounts of PM2.5 pollutants in winter.https://money.cnn.com/2013/07/09/news/china-air-pollution/ https://web.archive.org/web/20130713090735/http://money.cnn.com/2013/07/09/news/china-air-pollution dead 13 July 2013 Air pollution cuts life expectancy by 5.5 years in China - study 9 July 2013 CNN 6 May 2016 Pollution from China has already affected other countries, and some ozone-forming particles have travelled across the Pacific Ocean to the United States, contributing to a relatively high level of ozone on the American West Coast. While these particles, along with other ozone-related chemicals, can be carried up to 30,000 feet above the ground, researchers in the United States predict that these pollutants may play a bigger role in the near future.https://www.cnbc.com/2015/08/13/chinese-pollution-is-coming-to-america.html Chinese pollution is coming to America 13 August 2015 CNBC 6 May 2016 Bacteria in PM2.5 Scientists are still trying to understand the microorganisms within PM2.5 particles and how they are spread through pollutants. Research indicated that many kinds of pathogens and bacteria can be spread through PM2.5 smog and cause diseases. For example, Chinese researchers have found that smog in Beijing contains significant amounts of inhalable microbial allergens and pathogenic species, which increase the risk of respiratory diseases.Inhalable Microorganisms in Beijing's PM2.5 and PM10 Pollutants during a Severe Smog Event Environmental Science & Technology 48 3 1499–1507 10.1021/es4048472 24456276 2014 Cao Chen Jiang Wenjun Wang Buying Fang Jianhuo Lang Jidong Tian Geng Jiang Jingkun Zhu Ting F. 3963435 2014EnST...48.1499C The same study also reported that among all the microorganisms within PM2.5 particles, 86.1% are bacteria, 13% eukaryota, 0.8% archaea, and 0.1% viruses. The smog contains a variety of microorganisms such as Actinomycetota, Pseudomonadota, Chloroflexota, Bacillota, Bacteroidota, and "Euryarchaeota". Many of these are not harmful to humans, but some pathogenic microorganisms are carried through smog, and their numbers increase as the pollutant level increases. More than 1,300 kinds of microorganisms have been detected on PM2.5 particles. Because PM2.5 particles have relatively large surface area, many microorganisms from the soil easily attach to them, spreading them quickly through wind. For example, scientists detected that Aspergillus fumigatus var. fumigatus, a fungus which triggers allergic reactions in the respiratory system, are 1% to 8% of microorganisms found on PM2.5 particles.https://news.sina.com.cn/c/2014-02-24/192129551860.shtml 清华大学在北京雾霾中检测出1300种微生物 新闻中心 13 May 2016 Chinese Index The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed an Air Quality Index that is used to report air quality. This AQI is divided into six categories indicating increasing levels of health concern. A PM2.5 concentration lower than 12 μg/m3 indicates good air quality and between 12 and 35 μg/m3 the airquality is moderate. An AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality and below 50 the air quality is good. http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi Air Quality Index (AQI) - A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health 9 December 2011 8 August 2012 US EPA https://web.archive.org/web/20180618144741/https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi 18 June 2018 In December 2013, huge areas of Eastern China reached "hazardous" level for multiple days. Air Quality Index (AQI) Values Levels of Health Concern Concentration (μg/m3) 0 to 50 Good 0-12 51 to 100 Moderate 12-35 101 to 150 Unhealthy for sensitive groups 35-55 151 to 200 Unhealthy 56-150 201 to 300 Very unhealthy 151-250 301 to 500 Hazardous 251+ See also China Environment 1930 Meuse Valley fog 1939 St. Louis smog 1948 Donora smog 2013 Northeastern China smog 2024 Indo-Pakistani smog Great Smog of London Pea soup fog Air pollution in China References 30em External links Real-time air quality index map Forbes PRI China Environment Category:2013 disasters in China Category:2013 in the environment Category:Environmental disasters in China Category:Meteorological events in 2013 Category:Air pollution in China Category:2013 in Shanghai Category:History of Nanjing Category:Smog events Category:Weather events in China Category:December 2013 in China