of low sulfur coal, together with flue gas desulfurization units on some power
plants has dramatically reduced SO
emissions. A 50% reduction of NO
V
emissions has been achieved on units with low NO
V
burners fitted. Since 1991,
emission standards for coal-fired power plants have been revised downwards
from 125 to 50 mg m\, 2100 to 200 mg m\ and 2200 to 670 mg m\ for
particulate matter, SO
and NO
V
, respectively. In some polluted districts there
was a rapid decrease in ambient concentrations of SO
by 80%.
There are still air quality problems in Hong Kong, however. Both respirable
suspended particulates and NO
V
exceed the limits established. Polluted districts
of Hong Kong, in a study to assess the effect of the emission controls, had worse
respiratory symptoms and bronchial conditions in children than the less polluted
districts, but it was in the former districts that the greatest improvement was
observed. In adults, an epidemiological study demonstrated that there was a
strong, positive correlation between pollutant levels and daily hospital admissions
for cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.
It can be concluded that air pollution controls do bring significant benefits in
terms of health improvement and a reduction in premature deaths, particularly in
the elderly. Moreover, the response time for measurable health benefits to be
realized is short — weeks or months rather than years.
6 Future Action
As urban centres continue their rapid growth in developing countries, air
pollution problems are likely to increase in their frequency and severity. The
initiatives being taken in ‘megacities’ in certain of these countries to begin to deal
with air quality problems, by regulation, structural change and the search for a
more sustainable system, will act as lessons and, where successful, models for
more widespread action. Progress is slow but the wealth of experience that exists
worldwide is an invaluable resource for concerted and dedicated action.
In addition to the actions at urban scale there are many activities on-going in
Asia, Africa and Latin America at national and international scales. For example,
the Chinese government have been introducing abatement strategies and
developing important policy instruments. Policies have been implemented to
increase efficiency, reduce sulfur contents in coal and also relatively expensive
Flue-Gas-Desulfurization (FGD) equipment has been installed in a number of
power plants in China. FGD has also been in stalled in countries such as
Thailand and are planned/being constructed in other South-East Asian
countries. Particulate emission reduction technologies (especially Electrostatic
G. McGranahan and F. Murray (eds.), Health and Air Pollution in Rapidly Developing Countries,
Stockholm Environment Institute, Stockholm, 1999.
H. M. Seip, P. Aagaard, V. Angell, O. Eilertsen, T. Larssen, E. Lydersen, J. Mulder, I. P. Muniz, A.
Semb, T. Dagang, R. D. Vogt, Xiao Jinshong, Xiong Jiling, Zhao Dawei and Kong Guohui,
Acidification in China: assessment based on studies at forested sites from Chioongqing to
Guangzhou, Ambio, 1999, 28, 522—528.
H. N. Soud and Z. Wu, East Asia — Air Pollution Control and Coal-Fired Power Generation, IEA
Coal Research, London, 1998.
H. N. Soud, Southeast Asia — Air Pollution Control and Coal-Fired Power Generation, IEA Coal
Research, London, 1997.
A Perspective on Global Air Pollution Problems
55
plants has dramatically reduced SO
emissions. A 50% reduction of NO
V
emissions has been achieved on units with low NO
V
burners fitted. Since 1991,
emission standards for coal-fired power plants have been revised downwards
from 125 to 50 mg m\, 2100 to 200 mg m\ and 2200 to 670 mg m\ for
particulate matter, SO
and NO
V
, respectively. In some polluted districts there
was a rapid decrease in ambient concentrations of SO
by 80%.
There are still air quality problems in Hong Kong, however. Both respirable
suspended particulates and NO
V
exceed the limits established. Polluted districts
of Hong Kong, in a study to assess the effect of the emission controls, had worse
respiratory symptoms and bronchial conditions in children than the less polluted
districts, but it was in the former districts that the greatest improvement was
observed. In adults, an epidemiological study demonstrated that there was a
strong, positive correlation between pollutant levels and daily hospital admissions
for cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.
It can be concluded that air pollution controls do bring significant benefits in
terms of health improvement and a reduction in premature deaths, particularly in
the elderly. Moreover, the response time for measurable health benefits to be
realized is short — weeks or months rather than years.
6 Future Action
As urban centres continue their rapid growth in developing countries, air
pollution problems are likely to increase in their frequency and severity. The
initiatives being taken in ‘megacities’ in certain of these countries to begin to deal
with air quality problems, by regulation, structural change and the search for a
more sustainable system, will act as lessons and, where successful, models for
more widespread action. Progress is slow but the wealth of experience that exists
worldwide is an invaluable resource for concerted and dedicated action.
In addition to the actions at urban scale there are many activities on-going in
Asia, Africa and Latin America at national and international scales. For example,
the Chinese government have been introducing abatement strategies and
developing important policy instruments. Policies have been implemented to
increase efficiency, reduce sulfur contents in coal and also relatively expensive
Flue-Gas-Desulfurization (FGD) equipment has been installed in a number of
power plants in China. FGD has also been in stalled in countries such as
Thailand and are planned/being constructed in other South-East Asian
countries. Particulate emission reduction technologies (especially Electrostatic
G. McGranahan and F. Murray (eds.), Health and Air Pollution in Rapidly Developing Countries,
Stockholm Environment Institute, Stockholm, 1999.
H. M. Seip, P. Aagaard, V. Angell, O. Eilertsen, T. Larssen, E. Lydersen, J. Mulder, I. P. Muniz, A.
Semb, T. Dagang, R. D. Vogt, Xiao Jinshong, Xiong Jiling, Zhao Dawei and Kong Guohui,
Acidification in China: assessment based on studies at forested sites from Chioongqing to
Guangzhou, Ambio, 1999, 28, 522—528.
H. N. Soud and Z. Wu, East Asia — Air Pollution Control and Coal-Fired Power Generation, IEA
Coal Research, London, 1998.
H. N. Soud, Southeast Asia — Air Pollution Control and Coal-Fired Power Generation, IEA Coal
Research, London, 1997.
A Perspective on Global Air Pollution Problems
55