Abstract
To more effectively reduce population exposure to PM2.5, control efforts should target densely populated urban areas. In this study, we took advantage of satellite-derived PM2.5 data to assess the difference in PM2.5 variations between urban and rural areas over eastern China during the past three Five-Year Plan (FYP) periods (2001–2015). The results show that urban areas experienced less of a decline in PM2.5 concentration than rural areas did in more than half of the provinces during the 11th FYP period (2006–2010). In contrast, most provinces experienced a greater reduction of PM2.5 concentration in urban areas than in rural areas during the 10th and 12th FYP periods (2001–2005 and 2011–2015, respectively). During the recent 12th FYP period, the rates of decline in PM2.5 concentration in urban areas were more substantial than in rural areas by as much as 1.5 μg·m−3·year−1 in Beijing and 2.0 μg·m−3·year−1 in Tianjin. These results suggest that the spatial difference in PM2.5 change was conducive to a reduction in the population exposure to PM2.5 in most provinces during recent years.
Highlights
Long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 is associated with a range of adverse health effects [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
During recent Five-Year Plan (FYP) periods, the Chinese government promulgated a series of control measures to reduce the PM2.5 concentration level in China [11,12,13]
We suggest that control efforts further target densely populated urban areas in these provinces
Summary
Long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of smaller than 2.5 μm) is associated with a range of adverse health effects [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. As one of the fastest developing and most heavily polluted countries in the world, China is suffering from much more severe PM2.5 exposure problems than the U.S and Europe [8]. Of Chinese people lived in areas where PM2.5 concentrations exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) Interim Target 1 (IT-1, 35 μg/m3 , which is the current Chinese National Ambient Air. Quality Standard (NAAQS)) [10]. A decline in the mean PM2.5 concentration level is conducive to a reduction of the population’s exposure to PM2.5. Lin et al [14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
