Media Update: Beijing PM2.5 carcinogen concentration falls as less coal burnt

Beijing, 14 November, 2016 – In 2013 Greenpeace East Asia, in collaboration with the Public Health Faculty of Peking University, reported that PM2.5 in Beijing contained levels of the heavy metal and group 1 carcinogen, arsenic, 3.85 times higher than the national standard.[1] The report also found worryingly high levels of two other carcinogens, cadmium and lead.

New research by Greenpeace East Asia and the Beijing Environmental Mutagen Society shows that all three elements have fallen rapidly. Arsenic concentration levels fell by 90.4% and now meet the national standard.

“The fall in heavy metals concentrations in PM2.5 in Beijing is directly linked to the closure of coal fired power plants around the city,” said Greenpeace East Asia climate and energy campaigner, Dong Liansai.

The burning of coal is the principle source for all three heavy metal elements in Beijing’s air.[2] 84.6% of arsenic contained in coal enters the air during the process of burning coal.[3]

Beijing’s last operating coal power plant will be closed by the end of March 2017.[4]

Given that all three elements are carcinogenic and a major risk to public health, other municipal governments around the country should learn from Beijing’s policy of closing coal power plants and reducing coal consumption.