Air quality in Huainan

What is the current level of air pollution in Huainan city?

Huainan is a prefecture-level city in north-central Anhui province, China. As such it administers seven county-level divisions, including five districts and two counties. It is thought of as the birthplace of tofu. It is also one of the main cities of Hefei Metropolitan Circle and is known for its coal industry and thermal power plants. A census conducted in 2010 estimated the population to be 1.9 million people. No doubt this figure is now greater than 2 million. Its metropolitan centre lies south of the Huai River in close proximity to Lake Goatang.

In the first half of 2021, Huainan was experiencing a period of “Moderate” quality air with a US AQI number of 91. This figure is calculated using internationally recognised metrics which allows comparisons to be made between cities, even if they are not in the same country. It follows the guidelines suggested by the World Health Organisation (WHO). There are often six main pollutants that are identified and measured and these figures are used in the final calculations. In Huainan the concentrations were as follows: PM2.5 - 31 µg/m³, PM10 - 68 µg/m³, ozone (O₃) - 203 µg/m³, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) - 14.5 µg/m³, sulphur dioxide (SO₂) - 8 µg/m³ and carbon monoxide (CO) - 414.5 µg/m³.

When the level of pollution reaches this level, the given advice is to stay indoors and close doors and windows to prevent more dirty air from getting inside. Those groups of people who are sensitive to poor quality air should try not to venture outside until the quality improves. The current level is displayed at the top of this page which will be very useful when deciding.

Does the level of Huainan’s air pollution vary much throughout the year?

Air pollution can be very changeable as it can be affected by many variables such as the temperature and the level of sunlight throughout the various seasons. The figures for 2020 have just been published by the Swiss air monitoring company, IQAir .com.

The time of the year when Huainan has the cleanest air is during the summer months from May until the end of September. At this time the air quality was classed as being “Moderate” with figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³. The months of February, March and April were slightly worse with air quality classed as “Unhealthy for sensitive groups”. Figures between 35.5 and 55.4 µg/m³ were recorded. The remaining winter months of November, December and January brought the poorest air quality with figures between 55.5 and 150.4 µg/m³ a classification listed as being “Unhealthy”. This is mainly due to the need to use fossil fuels to heat the homes and workspaces.

Records were first kept in 2017 for the air quality in Huainan when the average annual reading was an “Unhealthy” 61.6 µg/m³. The following year showed a marked improvement with a 54.8 µg/m³ reading. This is classed as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups”. In 2019 the recorded figure was 52.5 µg/m³ followed by another improvement in 2020 with a mean reading of 47.4 µg/m³. This could be an artificially lower figure due to the restrictions put into place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many vehicles were prevented from being used because factories and offices had been instructed to cease operation for the time being. The closure of the factories also meant they were no longer polluting the air, albeit on a temporary basis.

What are the sources of air pollution in Huainan?

A vast majority of pollutants are emitted from coal, steel, cement, power generation, heating, and vehicles. According to the report, reducing coal consumption, ultra-low emission retrofitting in heavy polluting units such as steel and cement industries, and a new norm curtailing the release of volatile organic compounds helped more cities improve air quality.

The government also started massive reforestation drives and changes in agricultural practices to improve land use. Desertification as a result of land degradation has also been linked to a spike in emissions.

What can be done to improve the air quality in Huainan?

In 2020, a total of 225 million yuan was invested in the prevention and control of air pollution, mainly for a straw burning ban and comprehensive treatment, artificial precipitation, atmospheric environment monitoring and comprehensive management system construction projects. Effective investment has brought about significant improvements in air quality. As of this year, there have been 268 excellent days, with an excellent and good rate of 73.4 per cent. The four indicators of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and ammonia in the total control indicators have fully completed the task of formulating emission reduction targets.

Since 21^st January, due to adverse weather conditions and regional pollution transmission, there has been heavy pollution in the province. Citizens are requested to take health protection measures. Children, the elderly, and people who are susceptible to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases should stay indoors and reduce outdoor activities; the general population should also follow suit, and if this is unavoidable then wearing masks is strongly advised.

It is suggested that citizens try to use public transportation as much as possible to reduce the number of motor vehicles on the road; when motor vehicles are stopped, they should be turned off to reduce the idling of vehicles; construction sites should be sprayed with water to reduce rising dust and to increase the frequency of construction dust management; increase the frequency of road cleaning, washing and spraying; pollutant discharge units take further measures to control the production of polluting processes and reduce pollutant emissions.

How does air pollution in Huainan affect human health?

Even young healthy people are susceptible to poor quality air. The risk of adverse effects depends on your existing health status, the pollutant type and concentration, and the length of your exposure to the polluted air.

Very high levels of air pollution can have immediate effects on the human body. It can aggravate cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, add stress to the heart and lungs, which must work harder to supply the body with the oxygen levels that it needs. It can also lead to cell damage in the respiratory system.

Some groups of people are most susceptible than others, especially those with pre-existing respiratory problems. Pregnant women and children are more at risk too. As are the older generation and those whose jobs dictate that they spend a long time outdoors.