China to monitor smog impact on health

Beijing: China will build a nation-wide network within three-five years to monitor the impact of air pollution on health, an official said.

A total of 43 monitoring spots will be set up in 16 provinces and municipalities frequently engulfed by smog so as to facilitate research on air pollutants in different regions, the impact on the health of vulnerable groups and the study of related diseases, reported Xinhua quoting Xu Dongqun, an official with the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

With funds allocated by the central government, the study will provide reference for preventive efforts to reduce the particulate pollution (PM) 2.5, Xu said.

China recently issued a 1.75 trillion-yuan ($284.2 billion) plan to tackle the worsening air and pledged to improve air quality within five years.