Despite the significant improvement in air quality over the past decade in our country, we still face the challenge of high atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration levels on a global scale. At the recent Zhongguancun Parallel Forum “Innovation-Driven Green Development Forum,” Zhu Tong, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor at Peking University, pointed out in his keynote speech that initiating the revision of air quality standards is crucial, as it is not only essential for further improving air quality but also for public health.
Zhu Tong further explained that the revision of our country’s air quality standards is urgent, especially the adjustment of the PM2.5 concentration standards. It is understood that in 2012, China first included the concentration limit of PM2.5 into the environmental air quality standards, stipulating that the annual average concentration should not exceed 35 micrograms per cubic meter. The “Environmental Air Quality Standards” (GB 3095-2012) has been implemented since January 1, 2016, and was based on the World Health Organization’s guidelines from 2005.
In comparison, developed countries like Europe and the United States have set more stringent PM2.5 concentration limits. For example, by 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it would lower its annual average PM2.5 standard from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9 micrograms per cubic meter.
Zhu Tong pointed out that air pollution is one of the leading risk factors for death globally, ranking fourth after high blood pressure and smoking. This demonstrates that continuing to improve air quality is key to protecting public health.
In the new era, our country’s air pollution control has entered a new stage. On the one hand, the World Health Organization raised air quality guidelines in 2021; on the other hand, the proposal of “dual carbon” goals also places higher demands on China’s environmental protection work. Adjusting air quality standards requires a systematic assessment of health risks and cost-benefit based on scientific evidence.
Zhu Tong emphasized that although the revision of a standard will be accompanied by systemic measures and extensive social impact, requiring comprehensive consideration of various factors, it is certain that the health benefits obtained will far exceed the resources and costs invested. For stricter air quality standards, it can create more development opportunities for clean, efficient green products and industries.
Zhu Tong urged, “We should incorporate the revision of our country’s environmental air quality standards into the agenda as soon as possible to ensure that our actions on carbon reduction and pollution control are more directional, while also promoting a higher quality, more advanced path of green development.”
