IH Environmental Sustainability (ll) 3.3.1.

Severe Air Pollution

Shenyang, Tianjin and Chongqing, the cities with the highest levels of particulate matter in China in 2004 (World Bank), are among the ten most polluted cities in the world. In Beijing and other parts of the northeast, nitrogen dioxide levels have jumped 50% since 1996. It is released by power plants, heavy industries and vehicle traffic and causes many respiratory problems.

3.3.2 Pollutants
Nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, chlorofluorocarbons. NO2 and SO2 combine with water to form acids which irritate the lungs and contribute to the long-term destruction of the environment because of acid rain. CO, generated from the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons, prevents oxygen from binding to haemoglobin and causes asphyxiation. It also binds with metallic pollutants and allow them to be more mobile. CFCs and halogenated hydrocarbons react with light to form radicals which destroy ozone and reduce protection against UV radiation.

3.3.3 Burning of Coal

In 2008, China surpassed the US as the largest global emitter of green house gases by volume. The emissions are mainly due to its reliance on coal, which accounts for over two-thirds of its energy consumption. It is used for fuel for industrial and domestic purposes. China burns more coal than the US, Europe and Japan combined but even many of its newest coal-fired power plants are industrial furnaces operate inefficiently and have inadequate pollution controls. China became the leading source of so2 globally in 2005 (State Environmental Protection Administration). According to the PRCs own evaluation, two thirds of the 338 cities for which air quality data were available are considered polluted and two thirds of them moderately or severely so. Respiratory and heart diseases related to air pollution are the leading cause of death in China. Acid rain falls on 30% of the country. The WHO has found that 750,000 people die prematurely from respiratory problems

3.3.4 Rapid Increase in Vehicles

It has led to a sharp increase in concentrations of nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and ozone. The combination of coal smog and exhaust results in high levels of photochemical smog, high concentration of fine particles and poor visibility.

4. Population and Development

China is the largest and most populous country, representing a full 20% of the world population. The population growth has been slowed somewhat by the one-child policy (1979). As recently as 1950, the population was a mere 563 million but grew to 1 billion in the early 1980s due to a decrease in infant mortaility and death rates because of improving national health.

4.4.1 Chinas Large Population and Pollution

China faces great population pressure on resources, the environment and development. It supports 22% of the world population on 7% of the worlds arable land. Arable land decreases at a rate of 741,330 acres annually. 33% of exisiting arable land has water and soil erosion. Water resources are unevenly distributed possibly due to uneven distribution of rainfall in different seasons and years and geographical regions. Water shortage causes reduced grain and livestock production. It is due to population size, expanded irrigation, small average rainfall supplies, overuse and depletion of ground water.

5. Impact of Pollution 5.1 Social Impact of Pollution

Fetid air and water causes social unrest. Health care costs have climbed sharply. Publication of data has been banned for fear of inciting social unrest (scholars involved in the research). Pollution has made cancer Chinas leading cause of death (MOH). Ambient air pollution is blamed for hundreds of

thousands of deaths. In industrial cities, children are killed and sickened by lead poisoning and local pollution. Premature deaths attributed to outdoor air pollution are likely to reach 380,000 in 2010 and 550,000 in 2020 (Chinese environmental experts, 2005)

5.1.1 Birth Defects

A baby is born with physical defects every 30 seconds. (National Population and Family Planning Commission) A free pre-pregnant examination program has covered 8 provinces with the highest rate of birth defects. Research shows that chemical waste pollution is the main factor influencing the health of pregnant women and their children. Coal-rich Shanxi has the highest rate of birth defects. Birth defects are also linked to air pollution. If pregnant women are exposed to air pollution (nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter) , it increases the risk of giving birth to underweight infants. Environmental exposure to specfic combustion pollutants can result in chromosomal abnormalities in foetal tissues (Columbia University Centre for Childrens Environmental Health). The increasing rate of birth defects may become a social problem.