China's ozone levels hit a record high in June, according to Greenpeace

The Chinese Ministry of the Environment said it was expected that ozone pollution would be particularly high in the area surrounding Beijing in the next 10 days.

China is one of the highest levels of ozone in the world. (Photo by Reuters)

SHANGHAI: Ozone-depleting levels of ozone reached a record high in China in June, up 11 percent from the same month last year, according to Reuters Wednesday the environmental group Greenpeace. Four-year battle against air pollution, ozone has become "an emerging threat to health," said Greenpeace. The average level of Beijing capital was 120 micrograms per cubic meter in June, about double the rates in ozone areas like California and Mexico City

The Chinese Ministry of the Environment warned Tuesday that ozone pollution would be particularly high Tropospheric ozone, known as 'sunburn for the lungs', is caused by the interaction of sunlight with dioxide of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

shortness of breath, coughing and burning airways, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Children are at greatest risk and prolonged exposure can cause asthma and abnormal lung development.

"Heavy nitrogen emissions from heavy industry and transportation and increasing emissions of VOCs from a wide range of industries Greenpeace said that the # Ozone exposure was responsible for nearly 70,000 premature deaths in China, according to the Greenpeace report

citing figures from the global burden of disease database. According to a study published in April by the University of Beijing, ozone concentrations increased by 40% or more in 10 cities in northern China between 2014 and 2017, despite new stringent measures to clean up the country's health. Industry and traffic.

Efforts to reduce floating particles had actually increased the strength of sunlight, creating more ozone.

Experts had Vice Minister of the Environment, Zhao Yingmin, said at a press conference that average ozone concentrations increased by 8% year-round last. Hazardous floating particles known as PM2.5 remained the priority of the country.