Sandstorm and particulate matter: battling the elements in China
The relentless and unstoppable force of nature has once again manifested itself in China in the form of a massive sandstorm that has been raging in the north-west of the country since mid-February 2024. This force of nature, together with the existing fine dust pollution, poses major challenges for the world's most populous country.
Sandstorms and heavy snowfall have made roads impassable and caused traffic chaos. Cities such as Xi'an and others in Shaanxi Province were covered in dust, and considerable traffic disruption was also reported in several cities in the Xinjiang region. Visibility on the roads dropped to less than 100 metres, more than 12,000 vehicles and around 32,000 people were stranded on the roads.
But these are not the only problems China has to contend with. The country has been battling air pollution, especially particulate matter, for years. Chinese cities used to be notorious for their dense smog. Unfortunately, the situation has worsened again in 2023.
Particulate matter, especially PM2.5 particles, are of particular concern as they are considered extremely harmful to health. They have been linked to premature deaths from heart and lung disease and can cause a variety of other health problems. The increase in particulate matter pollution is attributed to a general increase in man-made emissions and unfavourable weather conditions. In 2023, 80% of provincial capitals, including Beijing, measured higher PM2.5 levels than the previous year.
The situation is even more alarming when you consider that the PM2.5 concentration in Greater Beijing in October and November was 20 times higher than the limit of 5 µg/m³ recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
This double assault of nature and human activity on air quality in China is a serious problem that needs to be addressed urgently. It is not just about people's health and well-being, but also about sustainability and environmental protection.
It is hard to imagine how people in China feel with such high levels of particulate matter pollution, while in Europe a "state of emergency" is declared at 20 µg/m³. The fact is that both values are above the WHO limits and are therefore a cause for concern.