Daily ozone and carbon monoxide measurements may be included in Shanghai air quality reports to meet new standards proposed by the Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection. The ministry wants to bring China’s air quality reports into line with international standards.
The proposed new standards add ozone and carbon monoxide to a list of pollutants that already includes sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and inhalable particles.
Local environment authorities will be required to publish air quality daily reports based on these standards and make forecasts for up to 48 hours.
The reports grade air quality as excellent, good, lightly polluted, moderately polluted and heavily polluted.
Ozone is a key indicator of air pollution, according to professor Le Qun of East China Normal University’s Resources and Environment School. Urban areas with heavy traffic and large industrialized communities are the main areas with ozone problems, he said.
In cities, most carbon monoxide emissions come from motor vehicle exhaust, posing a health risk for those who suffer from cardiovascular disease.
Shanghai’s current air quality daily reports and 24-hour forecasts are available at the Websites of the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau, the Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center and the Shanghai Environment Hotline.
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2 Comments
Hey these sites are great. I live in Shanghai and have been wondering what the actual pollution levels are daily. I really need to consider buying an air purifier for my apartment.
I hear you, Mike: I’m an allergic person myself, and Shanghai’s pollution doesn’t help either! I would check with a doctor first before buying an air purifier, though: I heard that some don’t actually do what they claim they do!