Beijing monitored air quality during the New Year celebration as a result of the heavy use of firecrackers. (Photo : Reuters)
The Beijing Environmental Monitoring Center has warned that air pollution in the capital could get worse as a result of heavy fireworks during the Lunar New Year celebration.
Li Yunting, director of air quality at the Beijing Environmental Monitoring Center, said that the condition could possibly lead to three days of severe pollution as the windless weather will hold pollutants.
Li said that the fireworks are expected to produce pollution and increase the density of sulfur dioxide and PM2.5 in the air. She added that air quality index could reached 500 on the eve of the Lunar New Year festivities when families start to set off firecrackers and fireworks.
The director, however, said that except for the three days of heavy pollution, the capital can expect a relatively good air quality for the rest of the holiday, which will occur from Feb. 18-24.
Li also stressed that it would also depend on the volume of firecrackers that will be used. If the volume will be the same as last year, air pollution would take about five to six hours longer at hazardous level, she added.
Last year, the Beijing bureau reported a rapid increase of PM2.5, airborne micro particles that can be inhaled and cause damage. The report showed that the concentration of the said particles grew from 150 micrograms per cubic meter during midnight to 347 micrograms per cubic meter in only an hour.
To reduce pollution, the Ministry of Environmental Protection required all provinces on Feb. 3 to implement limitation on the use of firecrackers, which included the expansion of forbidden zones and limiting hours to use firecrackers.
