China on Tuesday started to issue daily reports on air quality in 74 major Chinese cities by adopting more extensive monitoring standards, including the level of PM 2.5 — the smallest and most dangerous pollution particles.
Five other pollutants, including ozone and carbon monoxide, were also placed under the new monitoring standard issued in February by the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
The previous standard only covered PM 10 — particulate matter up to 10 micrometers in size, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.
"I think monitoring PM 2.5 and publishing the concentration will increase people's awareness of environmental protection," said Pan Lei, a resident in Shanghai.
"But it is more important to take measures to reduce such pollutants in the air."
The data, released on the website of the China National Environmental Monitoring Center, are updated every hour.
People can also check the information for these pollutants monitored in the past 24 hours at various monitoring stations in the 74 cities.
PM 2.5 are considered more dangerous than larger particles, as they can penetrate deeper into the lungs.
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