Possible stricter measures to ensure air quality

(BEIJING, July 27) -- Beijing may take stricter measures to cope with extremely unfavorable weather during the Olympic Games, said an official in charge of the city's environmental protection.

As a result of nine consecutive years of efforts, air quality in the capital city has improved remarkably. As of July 27, 2008, the days meeting the goal for the year surpassed last year's figure by 15 days. As of July 1, heavily polluting "yellow-labeled" vehicles have been banned on the city's roads and starting July 20, an "alternate day" driving practice has been enacted. Some heavily-polluting plants have been asked to reduce pollutant emissions by 30 percent and those plants which may pose significant impact on air quality have been ordered to halt production. Generally speaking, August is a month that favors the diffusion of inhalable particulates, a major threat to air quality.

"We are confident to meet our commitment to air quality for the Olympics. In case of extremely bad weather hindering the diffusion of the pollutant particulates, we will take further measures to cope with them. The measures are in the works and they will be carried out one by one," said Du Shaozhong, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Environmental Protection.

In its bid for the 2008 Olympic Games seven years ago, Beijing vowed to monitor daily movement of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and inhalable particulates; strive for an annual improvement of air quality; and meet the national standards and WHO guiding values for the four major pollutants. Today, the first two goals have been met but the third goal is pending a test by the Olympic Games, according to Xinhuanet.