2008 Summer Olympics, Officially - Games Of The Xxix Olympiad (part3)

Grayjing = Smoggy Beijing

.

Grayjing is the nickname given to Beijing for it’s serious air pollution problems. Most of us have heard about by now the unusually smoggy conditions polluting Beijing’s (population 11 million), air - but seeing the conditions makes you wonder if the Chinese are going to be able to pull off their so called “blue sky days” during the 2008 Summer Olympics scheduled to start August 8th. Government claims have previously stated that the number of “blue sky days”, when smog levels are lower than normal -less than 100 on a scale of 500 API (Air Pollution Index), has increased to around 240 days annually.

.

Blue Sky Day

But, those “blue sky days” Chinese Government claims have been disputed by independent monitoring sources as early as 2000, that claim that Beijing changed the way the air content is now measured. Nitrogen Oxide was no longer measured, but Nitrogen Dioxide was substituted in the air monitoring which is also an air polluter - but, on a smaller scale, according to Steven Q. Andrews, who has a reputable history of monitoring and reporting Chinese Government distortions.

.

.

This goes without question that China is making serious efforts to reduce it’s unhealthy air pollution, according to Worldwide Environmentalists who claim that China has the toughest air pollution laws anywhere NOW, but to implement them in a country the scale of China has resulted in some enormous challenges. Beijing alone has spent $17B in Environmental cleanup in that city in preparation for the 2008 Olympics. Changes in air quality will be monitored by experts from the Beijing’s environmental protection bureau, which has 27 survey stations around Beijing and another 18 in Olympic venues.

.

.

The World Health Organization (WHO), claims when Beijing’s air is still and there is no rain the ozone and fine dust accumulate is 2-3 times the maximum acceptable healthy level. It’s estimated that there are billions of dollars of crop losses annually and in China’s 14 largest cities - air pollution is responsible for 50,000 newborn deaths each year, claims the Shanghai Star Newspaper. In 2005 the European Space Agency released satellite data showing that Beijing and the surrounding area had some of the highest levels of nitrogen dioxide in the world. Additionally, the Worldwatch Institute in Washington, D.C. claims 16 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in China,

.

.

Beijing started banning from city driving July 1st nearly 300,000 high polluting heavy duty delivery vehicles, and put into effect July 20th - Aug 20th, alternate days even/odd license vehicle permits hoping to take another 3.3 million vehicles off the road daily. Beijing also closed more than 150 gas stations & oil depots, at the end of May.
Not to be caught off-guard, the City of Beijing installed over 10,000 surveillance smart-devices that include cameras, ultrasonic and microwave scanners to catch violators - who are then ticketed $14.00 and up per violation, which is a very large fine in Beijing terms. Only taxis and Olympic vehicles are exempt. The Chinese government has some major challenges ahead, as nearly 100,000 vehicles are added to Beijing streets annually and vehicle manufacturing is destined to be a significant part of China’s economic future.

.

.

Other Beijing efforts have been to shut down or relocate many local factories including a large and expanding cement manufacturing industry that has been located there to accommodate the expanding economy. General construction has also been halted until after the Olympics. Government restrictions lowering many of the coal plants (main source of energy), emissions and converting many residential homes to natural gas from the traditional coal briquettes everyone previously burned in their older courtyard homes has contributed to lower air pollution.

.

.

Beijing has a recently constructed a world-class subway system with 5 lines in operation for over the past 2 years and 3 (total of 8), more lines recently added and opened for passenger traffic beginning on July 19th to accommodate the 10,500 athletes and staff from around the world, as well as an additional 500,000 Olympic spectators anticipated from outside the city. A light rail system (27-kilometer line), was also recently completed and opened for passenger traffic to link the also new world-class airport proclaimed the “world’s largest airport“, and just completed with commuter access to Beijing transport hub of Dongzhimen.

.

.

Beijing is in a basin surrounded by hills, over a hundred kilometers (62 miles approximately), from the coast and at the mercy of dust filled winds from the Mongolian planes. Depending on the wind direction, between 50 & 70% of the Beijing’s dangerous fine dust particles originate in Hebei.
Tianjin, a port city just east of Beijing and host to Olympic soccer games, has ordered 40 factories to close. Another heavy industrial city -Tangshan, northeast of Beijing will shut nearly 300 factories in July to improve air quality throughout the Olympic Games

View Large China Map

Chinese doctor Pan Xiaochuan said athletes may experience a range of symptoms, from coughing and shortness of breath, to asthma attacks and serious heart problems.
World-record-holder and asthma sufferer Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia has opted to pull out of the marathon and concentrate instead on the 10,000-meter event.
Most of the athletes will live and train in South Korea, Japan or Singapore in the days before the games to avoid the poor air quality of Beijing.

View Large Satellite View of Beijing

Flawless Shine-
Comment on this article or email me direct (top of article), with addit’l info or ideas regarding this article. Thanks for your participation and sharing of ideas !