Air Pollution and Control in Different Areas of China

Air pollution resulting from the combustion of fossil fuel is an environmental topic receiving global attention. In China, rapid economic development followed the economic reforms of 1978, especially during the two decades between 1978 and 1997. Meanwhile, serious air pollution problems were left outstanding. In recent decades, due to the various air pollution control measures adopted by the Chinese government, Chinese air quality has been ameliorated gradually. However, some research concerning air pollution indicates that it is still a serious problem in some regions of China. For example, the regions of north, northeast, and northwest China exhibit inhalable particles surpassing the Grade II standards of the Ambient Air Quality Standard generally, while acid rain is an environmental problem that has existed for a long time in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and parts of southwest China. Therefore, this review is organized according to the topographical characteristics of China. Typical cities are chosen to represent different regions, and the aspects of air pollution in these regions are discussed. The current state of air pollution, control measures, and effects of these control measures in these areas are introduced in this review.