Building regulations
Although the planning process in the UK can be long-winded and complicated, it’s a fairly public process where those affected by new constructions can voice their fears and worries over developments. In the Chinese city of Shijiazhuang, this does not appear to be the case, as residents of a new apartment block are now coping with the effects of the fumes from a newly operational power plant. Those living in the flats blame the resulting poor air quality on a series of health problems, while others say it could have contributed to two fatalities. In fact, residents in the metropolitan area are calling the increase in air pollution the ‘air-pocalypse’.
Beyond city limits
But it seems that not only residents of this city are concerned by poor air quality readings. The US has released data relating to pollution levels in the country’s capital Beijing. Readings are graded from 0 to 500, with 500 being labelled as ‘extremely hazardous’. Figures from the US show that Beijing air quality has been graded at 886, with Greenpeace also releasing their rating, which put the air quality at over 1,000. Now residents are accessing information on pollution levels via their smartphones, while others are staying inside and wearing masks when they do venture outside. The World Health Organisation estimates that poor urban air quality contributes to 1.3 million deaths across the world, showing how important it is to plan constructions and reduce emissions for our public health.