Beijing's battle against smog has spread to crematorium chimneys as the capital city slashes emissions standards for the industry, according to the local environmental watchdog.
The new standard, which will go into effect on July 1, stipulates that the cap for the toxic chemical dioxin discharged by crematoriums shall be 0.1 nanogram per cubic meter of gas emitted, officials with the city's environmental protection bureau said at a press conference on Wednesday.
The current national standard sets the cap for crematorium dioxin emissions at 1 nanogram per cubic meter.
In addition, a revised local standard on emissions of coal-fired boilers will reduce the maximum limit of nitrogen oxides to 80 milligrams per cubic meter from 150 milligrams allowed under the current local standard starting July 1.
Also on July 1, pollutant emissions standards for the city's printing houses, wooden furniture manufacturers and refineries will take effect. A similar standard for automobile manufacturing and maintenance is expected to be announced by the end of August.
