Guangdong severely polluted by photochemical smog

Guangzhou (CNS) -- The Pearl River Delta is plagued by unusually severe photochemical smog pollution. The region's ozone index in 2011 grew by 21 percent compared to 2006, despite the fact its PM2.5 figure dropped by more than 30 percent during the same time span.

Almost all air indexes of the region declined other than ozone, according to a 2011 report on the air monitoring network covering Guangdong and Hong Kong, co-released by the environmental authorities of the two regions on Wednesday.

The average yearly indexes of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matters decreased by 49, 13, and 14 percent respectively between 2006 and 2011.

The worsening of ozone pollution manifests as frequent acid rain, dense small particulate matter and smoggy conditions, caused in this case by neglect of discharge controls in the oil and chemical industries, pointed out an official with the Provincial Department of Environmental Protection.