(ECNS) -- The burning of coal among households continued to be a major cause of severe air pollution in the North China region of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province, the Department of Environmental Protection of Hebei said at a news conference on Sunday.
Hebei suffered three spells of severe air pollution in December, with the longest lasting seven days from Dec. 16 to 22. Geography, weather conditions and the direction of wind were all disadvantages for the area.
The record of PM2.5, PM10 showed an obvious synchronous change with carbon monoxide concertration during the severely polluted days, the department said, adding that the incomplete burning of coal to heat residences in winter emits more carbon monoxide, compared with big industrial enterprises.
The province has responded with emergency measures on heavy polluted days. Industrial enterprises reduced emissions by 40 percent from Dec. 16 to 22, while 10 cities implemented odd-even number plate restrictions to reduce auto emissions.
Hebei is trying to control air pollution by using clean energies such as electricity and gas to replace coal.
