Reducing Pollution for Beijing Olympics

Organisers of one of the biggest events in the world, the Olimpics, set to be hosted by Beijing, will enforce some last minute, emergency measures, in a hope to cut pollution levels in the city back to the original target.

Rules and regulations were put in place which reduced factory output and production, and took literally thousands of high polluting vehicles off the roads, being replaced by more eco friendly examples.

Vehicles that represented the highest levels of pollution included over 2,000 buses and 5,000 taxis, not to mention reducing a major factories production by 73% and introducing more efficient rail lines.
The aim of course, was to reach the 100mg per cubic metre target, which of course not met, with measurements taken as high as 113mg over the last few days.

Of course, even when Beijing manages to reach the 100mg, they still have a long way to go before they reach the World Health Organisation recommended standard, which is 50mg per cubic metre.

Beijing is proud of the environmental gains made in recent years. Millions of coal-burning homes have been converted to gas, production at the biggest iron company has been cut by 73% and more than 2,000 old buses and 5,000 taxis are being upgraded or replaced with cleaner models. Five new urban railways have been added to the public transportation system.

Of course, as top athletes, some will be breathing up to 150 litres of air, per minute, and with levels over 100mg per cubic metre, this needs a higher level of concern, as damage to the respiratory system, could be fatal.

Environmental groups applauded the measures, but said it was unlikely to be enough to