Follow the story of how China’s environment agency developed its air monitoring standards to improve air quality, and how the Whatman filtration team supported the success of these efforts.
Unhealthy levels of PM2.5 in the air led to approximately 852 000 premature deaths in China in 2017, as documented in a study published by the Health Effects Institute.
China tackled its high pollution levels with support from Cytiva Whatman experts to improve air quality nationwide.
Read more about air particulate sampling
Importance of having air quality standards
Air monitoring standards are a vital tool for environmental researchers to standardize how air quality is measured and determine how these levels correlate to both environmental and human health risks. The countries that are leading air quality research have established their own air monitoring standards for several reasons:
- Standards provide reliable, consistent data for monitoring air quality and can direct efforts to improve quality where needed (e.g. by region).
- Data collection according to defined standard methods helps monitor changes over time and assess national progress.
- Standards help make sure pollutant concentrations don’t exceed certain limits, which reduces both human health risks and environmental risks.
In establishing its own set of standards, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and China National Environmental Monitoring Center (CNEMC) worked closely with the Whatman team.
Whatman experts had already supported other environmental organizations from the US, Canada, and the EU. The team was able to contribute its experience and expertise to help measure air quality efficiently and reliably across China.
Milestones in China’s fight to reduce pollution
2009: Introducing PM2.5
As air pollution was a key issue, the US Embassy in China began to release PM2.5 data to the public. At the time, China’s air monitoring efforts revolved around only PM10.
2011: Establishing a PM2.5 standard
As the importance of PM2.5 became clear, China started revising its air quality standards to address the high pollution levels that led to a variety of health and environmental issues. Prior to this project, measurement of PM2.5 levels was not standardized.
The project led to China creating its first standards (HJ618-2011) for gravimetric analysis of PM10 and PM2.5, key indicators of air quality.
2012: Training for the future
In 2012, the country had monitoring of PM2.5 in place in the capital city, Beijing, the Tangtze River Delta city, and Pearl River Delta city.
The MEE and CNEMC held workshops to provide training for future PM2.5 testing, supported by Whatman’s global team. The Whatman team participated in academic discussion, provided samples, shared guidelines, aid with technical requirements, and how the USA, Canada, and EU used filtration products for air monitoring.
Explore Whatman filter options for air particulate sampling
2013: Air Pollution Prevention Action Plan
Now that the China MEE and independent labs across the country were more familiar with PM2.5 testing, efforts to address the challenge of air pollution ramped up to include monitoring in 113 key cities using Whatman filtration products.
In 2013, the American Embassy in China released PM2.5 pollution data for Beijing, which highlighted the need to measure and focus on reducing this harmful type of particulate.
The China MEE established the Air Pollution Prevention Action Plan to start actively reducing pollution levels. To establish accurate national baseline data in ambient air monitoring, the China MEE expanded the measurement of just three air quality factors (PM10, NO2, and SO2) to six, now including the vital PM2.5 testing as well as CO and O3.
2014: Expanding and prioritizing PM2.5 source analysis
From 2014 onwards, China began analyzing PM2.5 pollution sources as part of its effort to actively reduce sources of emission.
By 2016, the air monitoring infrastructure in China had grown substantially, with thousands of testing sites at the local and national level. Both developed and developing regions were measuring air particulates, ensuring there was an accurate picture of air quality across urban and rural China.
Present day: Winning the battle for air quality
In a few short years, China established (and continues to develop) air monitoring standards that benefit its environment and people. The Whatman team continues to provide product and technical support as the country turns the tide in its battle for air quality.
Air quality monitoring has become a national effort, with thousands of testing sites, including continuous air monitoring devices, across the country. As a result, it has been possible to identify and reduce sources of pollution.
Chinese industries that had previously released high stationary source emissions are now more aware of its effects. Emissions management has now become an industry in its own right, with the government supporting efforts to measure and reduce pollutants and improve air quality.
How the Whatman team supports China's air quality successes
The US Environmental Protection Agency used Whatman products as part of its own efforts against pollution. As air quality increasingly became a topic of discussion in China, Chinese scientists also turned to Whatman products for all their air monitoring needs.
Whatman filtration products remain the first choice in the continuing air monitoring efforts. Chinese air technicians rely on both the quality and supply security of the products, as well as the ongoing support provided by the team.
As part of this support, the Whatman filtration team has focused on delivering continuous air monitoring products (e.g. glass fiber filter tape) to help obtain real-time air quality data across the country. This type of data collection ensures high efficiency and consistency in particulate measurements, greatly benefitting China’s environmental researchers.
Read more about continuous air monitoring
As part of Cytiva, the Whatman team provides a comprehensive and continuing service and support for China’s air monitoring efforts, from supplying glass fiber filters to thimbles. We also keep innovating and developing new products, such as the QM-C filter, which is well suited for chemical analysis of pollutants and high-temperature sampling.
From gravimetric analysis to continuous air monitoring, we have a broad selection of products to suit your needs. Contact your local Cytiva representative for custom support with our world-renowned Whatman products.
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