PM2.5 in Ningbo meets national standard
- Details
- Category: Ningbo News
- Published: Tuesday, 10 April 2012 09:45
The daily average of PM2.5 concentration in Ningbo was 56 micrograms per cubic meter, a slight increase over 48 micrograms per cubic meter on the previous day, according to data posted on the official website of the Ningbo Environmental Protection Bureau(NEPB) on Sunday.
PM2.5 refers to particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in size or about 1/30th the average width of a human hair. An expert from environmental monitoring station predicts that PM2.5 concentration may continue to rise in the coming days due to the fine weather during the Qingming festival.
According to a graph posted on the NEPB website, the daily average PM2.5 concentration remains changeable over the past week. The figure reached 72 micrograms per cubic meter last Monday, close to the upper limit of grade II air quality (75 micrograms / cubic meter). Later on, it reached another "small peak" to 61 micrograms per cubic meter, and fell to 36 micrograms / cubic meter, the lowest record during the past week. The data shows that PM2.5 in Ningbo didn't exceed the upper limit of 70 micrograms per cubic meter as regulated by the newly-enforced national air quality standard.
An expert from environmental monitoring station said: "In addition to the coal-burning, dust and vehicle exhaust emissions, weather condition can also influence PM2.5 concentration as well." The sunny and windy weather last week carried dust, resulting high PM 2.5 record on March 26.
