Environmental quality in Tianjin greatly improved

209 days of the year met the air quality standards

According to the news briefing of the Tianjin Environment Status Bulletin, in 2017, 209 days met the air quality standards, an increase of 64 days compared with 2013.

The concentration of six major pollutants fell tremendously compared to 2013, with sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, respirable particulate matter, fine particulate matter, and carbon monoxide falling by 72.9 percent, 7.4 percent, 37.3 percent, 35.4 percent, and 24.3 percent respectively, but the ozone went up by 27.2 percent compared to 2013.

Regarding the environmental quality of water, among the 20 national check fractures, the proportion of good water bodies was 35 percent, a 20 percent year-on-year increase.

Among the check points of the coastal waters, the proportion of water quality in or above grade II reached 50 percent, and the proportion of water quality in grade I increased by 33.3 percent compared with the same period last year.

In terms of the acoustic environmental quality, the annual average day-night sound level of the residential area, mixed zone and industrial areas did not exceed the national standards; the radioactive environmental quality was generally good, and the level of electromagnetic radiation remained stable.

In addition, the eco-environmental condition was generally stable. Last year, the city's eco-environmental quality index was 50.66.

The air quality has also improved

As of May 27, 2018, the air pollution index of Tianjin in the first half of the year was 6.12, a 17.1 percent year-on-year decrease.

The number of days that touched the standard was 88, an increase of 7 days compared to the same period last year. And the rate up to standards was 61.5 percent, a 4.9 percent year-on-year increase. The mean concentration of PM2.5 was 59 micrograms/cubic meter, a 22.4 percent year-on-year decrease.

The improved air quality could be attributed to various measures adopted by the city in the prevention and control of air pollution.

First, Tianjin has adjusted its industrial structure and continued to improve its energy structure. Second, the city continues to tackle the coal-fired pollution and other industrial pollution. Third, Tianjin has established a dynamic updating mechanism for the emergency control list of heavy pollution.

The environmental quality of water is steadily improving

In the first quarter of this year, among the 20 national check fractures, the proportion of water quality in or above grade III was 40 percent (a 3.1 percent year-on-year increase); the proportion of water quality below grade V was 35 percent (a 17.6 percent year-on-year decrease).

According to the municipal environmental protection bureau, Tianjin has taken three initiatives to improve the environmental quality of water, including: strict environmental access, controlling new industrial pollution from the source; strict implementation of classified governance and thorough treatment of old pollution sources; strict supervision of environmental protection and the promotion of automatic monitoring of pollution sources.