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Beijing’s Blue Skies May Not Be So Clear

Posted on: Thursday, 31 July 2008, 13:20 CDT

Beijing officials say the Olympic Games will occur under blue skies, rather than the thick humid haze that has shrouded the city recently, but looks can be deceiving.

In this case, a seemingly clear day may still be masking high levels of pollution, which may pose threats to the athletes’ wellbeing.

Officials have spared nothing in their fervent attempt to clean up the capital. It spent 120 billion yuan ($17.6 billion) on cleaning up the capital with factories dozens of miles away closed down, construction halted, and over half the city's 3.3 million cars cleared from the roads.

But although Chinese officials claim the air is clear, athletes may have cause for concern because most Chinese air pollution standards are outside World Health Organization guidelines. Additionally, experts say that the pollution index China uses to tell ordinary citizens whether the air is safe -- a "blue sky" day -- is seriously flawed.

The grey haze hanging over Beijing on Monday highlighted the city's ongoing problems. City pollution monitors said air quality on Monday was Grade II, making it officially a "blue sky day" -- though to the naked eye there was little to distinguish it from the four previous days when air did not meet national standards.

Many participants in this year’s Summer Games are waiting until the last minute to arrive in Beijing for fear that the bad air may bring new challenges to their events. The International Olympic Committee said it may reschedule endurance events such as the marathon to prevent health risks to athletes if pollution is bad.

Marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie has already pulled out of the marathon over fears of damaging his health.

And the Australian Olympic Committee has also said its athletes would be allowed to withdraw if pollution poses a threat.

"For us the athlete's attitude to the event is paramount," AOC vice president Peter Montgomery told reporters.

China’s limits on major pollutants are among the most lenient of those of the WHO and European Union.

"If the level is above the line, it is unhealthy," said Paolo Revellino, author of a U.N. Environment Program report on the Olympics released last year.

"The intention is that they should reflect the current capacities of the air management system. You can see some countries that take the (WHO) guidelines but don't do any monitoring," said Frank Murray, an air quality expert at Murdoch University's School of Environmental Science.

Moreover, the Air Pollution Index, which is used to determine whether Beijing is enjoying a “blue sky day,” is riddled with problems that magnify the effect of relatively lax standards.

"I prefer not to deal with it because it is not internationally recognized," said the U.N.'s Revellino.

The index uses average values across the city and over a 24-hour period, meaning pockets and temporary peaks of dangerous pollution can be ignored.

And because colorless ozone, a particular summer problem because sunlight helps produce it, is not included, athletes can't even trust their eyes.

"The sky can appear blue, but air can be still polluted ... Ozone can cause some respiratory problems and affect lung functions, so it can produce adverse effects to children, elderly and most likely athletes competing outdoors," the diplomat added.

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Image Caption: Exterior view of the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium

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On the Net:

• Beijing Olympics

Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports

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