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December 15, 2016

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Improved alert system under way with key alarms activated earlier

SHANGHAI’S reformed four-tier air pollution alarm system came into force yesterday.

The criteria for activating the lowest blue color and the highest red color alerts have been adjusted, Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau announced.

New measures include the control of volatile organic compounds, banning fireworks in the city and restricting heavy polluting boats.

Under the new system, the highest level red alarm will be triggered when the air quality index (AQI) is forecast to top 400, or severely polluted, for the next 24 hours. Schools and kindergartens will be closed when the red alert is activated.

Until yesterday, the index forecast had to surpass 450 for a red alarm to be issued, and no such alert has been issued for the past three years.

The bureau said the adjustments were made in light of Shanghai’s practical air pollution situation over the past three years.

According to the lowered criteria for the activation of the blue alarm, it will be issued when there is moderate pollution (AQI between 151 and 200) and short-time heavy pollution (over 201) predicted in the next 24 hours, so that anti-pollution measures can be taken earlier to bring relief to residents.

Previously, the blue alarm was issued only when the air quality was forecast to be between 201 and 300 over the next 24 hours.

The authority will read the real-time index of the city’s major air pollutant tiny particle PM2.5 — tiny particles of air hazardous to health that are the city’s major air pollutant — when triggering the alarm instead of using an average density reading over the past 24 hours.

Under the revised blue alert, construction sites will be ordered to suspend open-air operations. Heavy industry factories, especially those discharging large amounts of volatile organic compounds, will be required to reduce waste discharge.

The criteria for the second-level yellow alarm are unchanged and will be issued when AQI is forecast to be between 201 and 300 over the following 48 hours.

An orange alarm will be made when the AQI is predicted to be between 301 and 400 over the next 24 hours, or falling between 201 and 300 in the next three days. Previously, the orange alarm was issued only when the air quality was forecast to be between 301 and 450 over the next 24 hours.

Under the orange alarm, medicine and furniture manufacturers will have their operations restricted or suspended.

Under the red alarm, electronic product companies and forge plants could also be affected.

Barbecues, fireworks and waste burning will be banned when an air pollution alarm is issued.

The use of construction machines and other movable facilities at ports will also be restricted when there is heavy pollution. Under a red alert, heavy polluting boats face being banned from using some waterways.

Potential sources of pollution — enterprises and construction sites — will receive reminders when alarms are issued. Relevant government departments and organizations will be required to strengthen management over pollution sources.

Shanghai has issued eight blue or yellow air pollution alarms since the alert system was put in place in 2014.




 

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