Particulate matter is a major problem in China. Air pollution is significant; Chinese cities were once notorious for their thick smog. In 2023, particulate matter levels will have deteriorated again. A strong sandstorm has been worsening the situation for days and is paralyzing many roads and traffic in the country in some places.
There have been heavy sandstorms and heavy snowfall in northwest China since Saturday.
Xi’an and other cities in Shaanxi province were covered in dust, and in many places it was impossible to progress.
There were also traffic disruptions in several cities in the Xinjiang region. Visibility in traffic dropped to less than 100 meters. More than 12,000 vehicles and approximately 32,000 people were stranded on the roads.
PM2.5 fine dust particles are considered particularly harmful to health. The increase was due to a “general increase in man-made emissions” combined with “adverse weather conditions”. 80 percent of provincial capitals, including Beijing, had higher PM2.5 levels in 2023 than the previous year.
Serious health risks
PM2.5 particles pose serious health risks when inhaled. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, they have been linked to premature deaths from heart or lung disease, as well as a variety of other health problems.
In October and November, northern China was hit by a wave of severe air pollution. According to IQair, an international air quality monitoring company, the concentration of PM2.5 particles in the greater Beijing area was 20 times the maximum level recommended by the WHO.
Source: Krone
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