Chinese Air Pollution Kills Us. My Experience

All of us know that air pollution in China has been a major global issue at least for past years.
Back in 2010 one of the trending news on the mass media was dreadful air pollution in Beijing. Unfortunately, it was just the beginning. Since then, Chinese citizens all over China also face this problem on the regular basis. The main reason for these is rapid industrial development, which makes China not only the biggest exporter in the world but also the number one threat to the global ecology. So, what are the exact reasons for that terrible air pollution and is there any solution for that? Let’s take a closer look at the problem.

Nowadays, it is not surprising to anyone that most of our stuff at home, at work or elsewhere have been marked “made in china”. This country had 2,801,143 factories in 2015 (China Statistical Yearbook). Just think about the number…almost 3 million factories! It’s completely insane. Looking at that number most people would think there are so many factories because of the high demand for Chinese goods all over the world and they would be particularly right. Despite a one-child policy, a population in this country grows exponentially. Therefore many of these factories work not only for foreign markets, but also to support the needs of 1.38 billion citizens. For example, between 2011 and 2013 only for construction works, China used more cement than the United States had used in the entire 20th Century. Many brand new unoccupied cities have been built for the future generations, and they are waiting for them to come. Now, let’s think for a moment, how many factories have to work and what emissions they make, to produce all these construction materials including toxic ones such as paints, varnishes, plastic materials, etc. Then, all these materials have to be delivered to a construction sites which also consumes a lot of fuel. On top of all that, China is the biggest producer and consumer of coal in the world.

Fortunately, this winter air quality is much better than in previous years, the main reason for that is suspension of all construction works all over China during the winter season. Thanks to the president Mr. Xi Jinping.
Now let me give you some insider’s thoughts on that.

I have been living here for three years and from my personal experience I can say that the first couple of years I didn’t feel the pollution affecting my health. But as time passed by, I started noticing it. For instance, on the polluted days I usually have headache, insomnia, sometimes even get very depressed mood and anxiety. Although I can’t be completely sure whether it is caused by pollution or it is just a result of autosuggestion.

Me wearing mask on the polluted day

Long story short

One cold day in winter I walked out of my workplace and was stunned seeing very dense smog. There were no cars on the streets and I literally couldn’t see anything within a few meters. Luckily, that day I had a mask in my backpack which probably saved my health significantly. I had to walk about 5km to my home since there was no chance getting a cab or any other kind of transport. That trip was the longest I have ever had. I remember myself walking in my brand new shoes which I wore for the first time. They were so painful and uncomfortable that eventually I got blisters on my feet. Also, I had to put off my glasses because they get easily steamed when I wear a mask.

The photo above has been taken by me on the day when I had to walk home

*View from my balcony. Normal day VS slightly polluted day *

To conclude everything written above, I can only say that I think the Chinese government has to make this issue a priority number one. Because not only it has a dreadful influence on global ecology, but also it pulls down China’s reputation in terms of diplomacy.

It would be very interesting to know what you think about this. What should the government do to solve this big problem? Write what you think in the comments.

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