Highlights
– Pollution is the leading concern for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the run-up to the Olympics
– China’s rapid economic growth is a major contributing factor to the low air quality
– Steps taken to ensure a ‘green’ Olympics are unlikely to significantly improve air quality with less than one year to go
With less than ten months until the Beijing Olympics, pollution continues to be a serious concern for residents and athletes scheduled to participate in the August 2008 games. The city has tried several different methods to alleviate the harmful air quality; however, nothing appears to have produced substantial results.
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) and the United Nations (UN) both reported that the leading cause of concern in the Beijing Olympics is pollution.
Cause for Concern
As recently as October 26, 2007, children and the elderly in Beijing were advised to stay indoors as thick smog covered the city. Major highways were closed and thousands of passengers were stranded at Beijing’s Capital International Airport, as visibility was limited to only 50 meters (yards).
A UN report said levels of particulate matter – fine particles of pollution that can easily pass into people’s lungs and harm health – were 200 percent above World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The poor air quality has largely been attributed to the three million cars in the city, a number that grows by 1,200 each day because of the increasing number of middle class residents prospering from China’s economic boom.
Coal is another contributing factor in the dangerous levels of pollution. Used in factories in the capital city and throughout the country, coal produces toxic clouds of mercury and other chemicals that poison the air and water. Pollution caused by coal mining and use has resulted in rising birth defects in Chinese, affecting nearly one in ten families.
Postponing Events
IOC President Jacques Rogge has warned in the past that some outdoor endurance events may be postponed if the air quality is not up to standard by the August 8, 2008 opening ceremonies. He further stated that although Beijing has worked hard to improve its pollution problems, the city still falls short of ensuring clean air for the athletes.
However, the UN Environment Program gave an overall positive report about other aspects of the Olympics preparations, commending Beijing’s efforts in waste management, transportation and water treatment.
Too Little Too Late
In August 2007, Beijing banned 1.3 million cars in an experiment to test the effect on air-quality. Although experts have said the experiment did little except reduce traffic, the city is expected to repeat the experiment in August 2008.
Beijing also plans to shut down construction sites and close or reduce operations at polluting industries in and around the city during the Olympic events. However, continued economic growth will likely continue to counteract any significant steps taken to rid Beijing of its cloud of smog.
IOC officials have defended Beijing Olympic organizers, saying the city has spent more than the US$12 billion they proposed for pollution control, but economic growth has outpaced predictions made in 2001, when Beijing won the bid. Although the IOC will not confirm plans to delay or move events because of pollution concerns, air quality is unlikely to significantly improve in less than one year.
Athletes have been advised to arrive in Beijing as late as possible to avoid prolonged effects of pollution. Some countries are giving their athletes masks to wear and the Australian Olympic team will be provided with contact lenses with a UV filter to combat Beijing’s humidity and smog.
Delays caused by the pollution will most likely be announced only a day or two before a scheduled event, but delays are not expected to be significant since the IOC and athletes are well aware of the ongoing pollution problem.
