Shenzhen aims to cut its PM 2.5 concentration to 26 μg/m³

Dust control measures are taken during the second phase project of the Tsinghua University Shenzhen Graduate School Innovation Base. [Photo/sznews.com]

The city of Shenzhen has vowed to reduce its PM 2.5 (tiny hazardous airborne particles) density to 26 micrograms per cubic meter in 2018, according to an action plan recently released by the local government.

To reach its goal, the southern Chinese metropolis will focus on ten main missions, which include making urban logistics completely electric, reforming diesel vehicles, raising emissions standards on vehicles, reducing industrial emissions, creating more ecofriendly ports, shipping, and construction procedures, and improving adverse weather response. The ten missions were divided into a total of 125 specific tasks and were allocated to the responsible government departments and persons. The exact completion time for these tasks was also listed.

The 2018 Sustainable Shenzhen Blue Action Plan is a key move taken by Shenzhen to improve its air quality, keep the sky blue, combat air pollution, and build a beautiful Shenzhen.

A special net is used to cover the soil at a construction site in Longgang district, Shenzhen. [Photo/sznews.com]

According to officials from the city's Human Settlement Environment Committee, as of April 25, Shenzhen's average PM 2.5 concentration had reached 32.9 micrograms per cubic meter, up 1.1 micrograms per cubic meter compared with the same period last year. Dust from construction sites is the main cause for the rise.

In March, the city took a series of measures to deal with construction dust and put forward seven main goals. Since late April, the city's housing and construction bureau and transportation committee have inspected over 1,465 construction sites across the city to combat dust pollution, and the city plans to set up 10 special supervision groups in the future.

A fog cannon works to reduce the dust at a construction site in Longgang district, Shenzhen. [Photo/sznews.com]