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Beijing Olympic organisers have guaranteed good air quality throughout next month’s Games, despite pollution failing official levels in the last two days.
The deputy director of Beijing Municipal Environment Protection Bureau, Du Shaozhong, said since restrictions on cars and heavy industry polluters were introduced on July 20, air quality had reached acceptable standards for four days.
The last two days, however, had measured high levels that carry health alerts for the elderly and outdoor activity.
Du conceded more needed to be done to improve air quality ahead of the Games, beginning on August 8.
“I put it explicitly that there is room for improvement in terms of the air quality,” he told reporters in Beijing.
“The air quality in Beijing has further improvement, that’s for sure. During 70 per cent of the year, we have reached the requiring standard; and for 30 per cent else, we are not up to standard. It’s the reality.’
However, he said there was still time for the emission reduction measures to have a significant impact and guaranteed the air quality would be up to scratch for the duration of the Games.
“The conclusion is that we can guarantee the good air quality so as to provide a good atmosphere environment for the athletes,” he said.
“According to the most authentic replies given by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and related medical commission, their conclusion is that it is completely guaranteed during the Games.
“According to our analysis, we are very confident about the effectiveness and we are going to ensure a good air quality during the Games and strive for further improvement in Beijing.
He also said favourable weather conditions would help.
“If you look at the meteorological conditions, we tend to believe that the meteorological conditions are very good to control the air pollution,” he said.
“We have seen high temperature and high humidity and high wind speed, which is good for the dispersion of air pollution.
Du said the air quality had reached acceptable standards during 70 per cent of the year, but since July 1 that had increased to 88 per cent.
Visibility around the Olympic precinct remained poor today.
China’s showpiece Games venue, the Birds Nest, was barely visible just several hundred metres from the main press centre.