Reduction of Atmospheric Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins and Dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games

Abstract

A total of 120 air samples were collected at three urban and one rural location in Beijing, China in the summers of 2007−2010, and before, during, and after the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games (BOG), in order to assess the effectiveness of long-term and short-term emission-control measures in reducing polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the atmosphere. During the BOG (August, 2008), the PCDD/Fs concentrations decreased to an average value of 1150 fg m−3 (63 fg I-TEQ m−3), which was reduced by approximately 70% from the average in 2007 and by 29% from that in July 2008, before the Olympic event began. Although 2009−2010 levels of PCDD/Fs were significantly higher than 2008, the overall temporal trend was decreasing for summer months during the sampling campaign period. The apparent half-lives of atmospheric PCDD/Fs were estimated to be 3.2−5.8 years by statistically regressing the logarithm PCDD/Fs concentrations versus the number of years passed since 2006. The air concentrations of total suspended particulates (TSP) during the BOG ranged between 135 and 183 μg m−3, showing a 52% reduction from 2007 and 26% decrease from those prior to the Olympic event. No significant relationships were found between meteorological parameters (temperature, humidity, and wind speed) and PCDD/Fs or TSP during the BOG, whereas the PCDD/Fs concentrations were significantly dependent on the air quality (p < 0.05, positive against TSP and negative against visibility). This work is one of few temporal trend studies of atmospheric PCDD/Fs in mainland China, and provides unique insight into the effects of large-scale control measures in improving air quality and reducing one of the most ubiquitous and toxic organic pollutants in the environment.

Variation of airborne quartz in air of Beijing during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting

“…The control measures were stopped once the meeting had ended, and the quartz concentrations increased rapidly. Similar results were found for persistent organic pollutant concentrations when the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games took place (Li et al, 2011). Our results suggest that the emission control measures that were taken quickly caused the concentrations of quartz and some other pollutants in the air to decrease.…”

Particle Size Distributions of PCDD/Fs and PBDD/Fs in Ambient Air in a Suburban Area in Beijing, China

“…The analytical method that was used has been described in detail previously (Li et al, 2011b). The PBDD/Fs were quantified on Thermo Trace 1310 gas chromatography coupled with a Double Focusing Sector mass spectrometer spectrometer (DFS-MS) with an electron impact (EI) ion source.…”

A review of the genus Neopsocopsis (Psocodea, “Psocoptera”, Psocidae), with one new species from China

“…These three species were very similar according to Li (1990 , 2002 ). Neopsocopsis flavida was described based on the holotype specimen from Huaxi (Guiyang), with distribution range in central and southeast China.…”

“… Pentablaste clavata was described by Li (2002) based on one male and one female from Hebei, with the characters of the fore wing Sc ending at R and the crossvein Rs-M. Pentablaste obconica is the type species of Li’s genus Pentablaste , which is the most widely distributed species of China. Neopsocopsis hirticornis is the type species of Neopsocopsis , distributed mainly in Europe.…”

“…Li pointed out that both species were very similar to Neopsocopsis quinquedentata (Li & Yang, 1988), and could be differentiated by characters of the male hypandrium and phallosome. Neoblaste flavae was described based on a single female specimen from Zhejiang, which was collected with a female of Neopsocopsis profunda and differed from the latter by larger body size and the form of the internal plate ( Li 2002 ). After reexamining all the species, we found there are only minor differences between these three species, e.g.…”