Beijing 'won't have safe air until 2030'

Beijing, China may not experience clean air until around 2030, despite recent regulation changes that aim to reduce emissions across the nation. China.org reports the difficulties with dealing with air quality throughout the country mean the capital could be without good air quality for more than a decade.

Pan Tao, Beijing municipal environmental protection research institute director, said pollution controls could take up to 16 years to reduce the levels of PM 2.5 - particulate matter measuring under 2.5 micrometres - in the city to those that are deemed safe by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

This form of pollution is damaging to human health, especially in high concentrations, as it is able to penetrate deeply into the lungs. This type of particulate matter has been linked to cancer, heart disease and respiratory problems. 

During a symposium on the urban environment in Beijing, Mr Tao said the act of creating better air across the city would not be easy. As pollution has been so bad for several years - a result of China's rapid economic growth - it will take years to change things for the better.

Currently the WHO states that PM 2.5 should be at concentrations at no higher than 35 micrograms per cubic metre. Beijing's air exceeds this limit most days, signifying the unhealthy air that residents are subjected to. On average, PM 2.5 was measured at concentrations of 89.5 micrograms per cubic metre throughout the city in 2013, according to Mr Tao's figures. This is over double the safe limit set by the WHO.

China made a large investment in 2013 in an attempt to reduce PM 2.5 levels down to 60 micrograms per cubic metre before 2017. Although this would mean that particulate pollution levels are still above safe levels, it would represent a huge improvement in air quality. 

The central government has also implemented new environmental laws that intend to see emissions from industry and road traffic drastically reduced.