Earth is the only planet identified by astrologers, scientists and researchers to support life attributed to having all the necessary factors such as air (breathable), water, warmth and the right temperatures for supporting living organisms and systematic seasonal variations. Air is an essential factor contributing to the survival of all living things on the planet. Oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and inert gasses constitute the air and are all necessary for the survival of earth's living organisms because of the different roles and functions they play in the environment. Air pollution can be defined as the interference leading to contamination of both indoor and outdoor environment by any biological, physical or chemical component resulting in the modification of the atmosphere's natural characteristics. Industrial facilities, household combustion devices, forest fires and motor vehicles are the most common sources of air pollution in China. Air pollution is a major global concern and results from numerous components within the environment that have varying effects on living organisms. Health and survival of such organisms are significantly undermined by air pollution because air is a necessary component determining their thriving. Air pollution is the greatest threat facing human being survival, the most serious threat than all the known leading causes of death in people like chronic ailments, medical errors workplace violence, and terrorism which tend to be given the most emphasis.

Air pollution has been a problem associated with industrial countries of the West for a long time but has however increasingly been related to developing countries of East Asia in the recent years whose environmental degradation concerns are alarming. China is one such country but does not fall into the category of developing countries attributed to its industrial revolution in the recent years that has seen an increase in its citizen's welfare. China's environmental degradation is attributed to its aggressive push towards industrialization and is now experiencing dramatic levels of air pollution in most parts of the country (Alles 2). Since the Economic Reforms and Openness were initiated in the 1980s, the government of China has faced most of its attention and effort towards economic development, over the environment (Williams 7). China has increasingly been experiencing severe dust storms commonly associated with air pollution causes (Alles 2).

In China, air pollution has rapidly become one of the most relevant environmental problems with the primary reason being the massive burning of coal with inadequate emission controls (Wang and Mauzerall 1706). A proper understanding of the link between air pollution and related environmental impacts as well as energy consumption and technologies is necessary for evaluating various air pollution control options which are lacking in China's current policy decision-making (Wang and Mauzerall 1706-1707). Over the three decades past, China has been experiencing drastic economic growth that has gone hand in hand with an annual energy consumption growth rate as high as 10%. After the United States, China has become the world's second-largest energy consumer, with an annual energy consumption of 2.275 billion tons of oil (Wang and Hao 2). Use of fossil fuel is the primary source of air pollution emissions among cities in China. The urban air quality of China has seriously become polluted with high concentrations of total suspended particle (TSP) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) for many years attributed to its coal-dominated energy structure (Wang and Hao 2). In this case, China's fast growing transport infrastructure development and urbanization as well as vehicle exhaust pollution has also played a significant lead in air pollution (Wang and Hao 2).

In the 1970s, China first developed a growing concern for air pollution as a problem with TSP and SO2 emissions from industries (Zhang, Liu and Li 5323). By 1980s, acid rain had been detected in northern China's major cities which were mostly caused by SO2 from coal combustion. The number of motor vehicles in large and medium-sized cities increased rapidly in the 1990s aggravating the situation. Taking the city of Beijing as an example, the number of vehicles rose by a factor of 10, that is from 0.5 million in 1990 to 5 million vehicles in 2012 as (Zhang, Liu and Li write 5323).  Because China has a much lower emission standard for automobiles, the emission factor is much higher compared to other developed countries. Therefore, the dramatic rise in the number of vehicles coupled with the rapid development of industries in cities resulted in worsening of the situation hence air quality. The concentration of suspended particles and nitrogen oxides (NOx) also rose to a high (Zhang, Liu and Li 5323).

Coal is China's principal source of energy and constitutes an approximated 75% of all energy sources (Kan, Cheng and Hong A 187). As a result, air pollution in China mainly consists of coal smoke, with sulfur dioxide (SO2) and suspended particulate matter (PM) as the primary air pollutants. In addition, the biggest problem in China is the haze. The haze is mainly made up with PM2.5 that is a kind of air pollution with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. However, in major cities, the rapid increase of motor vehicles has caused air pollution to shift from the traditional coal combustion type to the mixed automobile emission/fuel combustion type (Kan, Cheng and Hong 187). Hong maintains that 'in China, particulate matter pollution is a serious environmental concern influencing regional and global climates, air quality, as well as human health. The Chinese State Council recognized the need to reduce particulate matter concentrations in response to the persistent and severe haze pollution experienced by an estimated 800 million people during 2013's first quarter' (Huang 218).

According to statistics from the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) of China, the country's cities in Pearl River Delta, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Yangtze River Delta regions have over 100 haze days annually, with PM 2.5 concentration two to four times above the World Health Organization guidelines reports (GreenPeace 1). Normally, PM2.5 is so small for people to find, but those particulates would enter people's lungs by inhalation. After those particulates enter people's lungs, it cannot be got cleaned up as result it will accumulate and be stuck on people's lungs. Finally, those particulates will affect people's health. PM 2.5 effects extend beyond haze days, leading to systemic damage to human health. Media attention and international debates over PM 2.5 led to its establishment as the new air quality monitoring national indicator at the end of 2011, in an ever-increasing area of contamination and an incredibly high pollution level era. However, the exact sources of, economic loss, public health risks and control approaches due to PM 2.5 was yet to be studied closer and get verified (GreenPeace 1).

More than 92% of China's residents have been exposed to PM2.5 since 2000, and increased exposure rates to 98% in 2012 (Zhang, Liu, and Li 5323). PM 2.5 is quite small in particulate size but is capable of reaching a large surface area. PM 2.5 is lethal compared to other particulate matter as it is prone to carrying a variety of acid oxides, toxic heavy metals, organic pollutants, and other chemicals, as well as microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria in the air. Modern toxicology studies and research has revealed that PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and heavy metals contained in PM 2.5 penetrate and deposit in human lungs causing inflammation and lung diseases (GreenPeace 2). PM 2.5 can also penetrate human blood circulation disrupting normal functions of the human cardiovascular system. In this case, local hospitals are filled up with a number of patients suffering from bad air pollution (AP 1). In addition, due to air pollution, the shops have sold out the mouth-muffles. There is a very strange phenomenon that in Beijing, people would like to wear mouth-muffles whenever and wherever they go even the air is clear and fresh. There is a famous video that describes a mother who is reporter got sad news that her baby has already had the disease when mother was pregnant (Chai). After the mother got a girl, the mother had to prohibit her daughter to go out and keep her daughter staying at home like a prisoner has to stay at prison.  Thus, exposure to PM 2.5 can lead to significantly increased mortality due to respiratory, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, as well as increased risks of cancer (GreenPeace 2).

Additionally, the World Bank reported that the economic burden of premature morbidity and mortality associated with air pollution was approximated to be 157.3 billion Yuan in 2003 equal to 1.16% of its GDP (71). 'Research has revealed that air pollution causes the loss of more than 2.5 billion years of China's life expectancy. For the reason, linked diseases, such as lung cancer and cardiovascular disease due to high coal consumptions of northern China, revealed life expectancy there was 5.5 years shorter than in southern (China Zhang, Liu and Li 5325).  China's air pollution has created a significant burden on its economy as the estimated PM concentrations, and ozone concentrations have led to a loss of consumption of US$ 16 billion to US$ 69 billion and US$ 22 billion to US$ 112 billion loss of welfare to China's economy (Zhang, Liu and Li 5325). In addition, there is the news that describes a man and his family moved to Beijing. At the first time, he thought environment in Beijing was not too bad to live there, while after few weeks, he found that air pollution was so dangerous for people's health. In this case, he and his wife started to worry about their daughter. Finally, they had to buy a $1,000 air purifier to help their daughter get clearer and fresher air to avoid getting illness (Davis). What's more, PM2.5 would reduce the people's visibility. Heavy haze could cause visibility as low as 500 meters or less in some places that have bad air pollution. As result, a number of flights were delayed and highways were closed after air pollution went off the charts in Shenyang in Liaoning province (Ap). This event caused a larger number of people feel inconvenient because they had to stay at airport to wait for the flights and cancelled their next journey; and they had to changes their plans and choose a further and longer highway. 

Air quality management entails all activities, whose goals are aimed at a healthier atmosphere, as well as control of air pollutants from deserts, automobiles, coal burning and related industrial activities. While maintaining a clean environment is a ubiquitous target for civil societies, international organizations, and governments, what constitutes a "healthy atmosphere" has to be correctly determined. The government of China initiated an air quality standard constituting of three grades for pollutants atmospheric concentrations based on the use of regions. Grade I is meant for scenic spots, nature reserves, and other areas needing special attention for protection. Grade II is intended for rural, commercial, residential, transportation, general industrial, cultural, public, and mixed regions. Grade III is for areas that are specific industrial zones. The Chinese government is proud of improving the quality of Chinese people's life condition, while this achievement is based on giving up environmental health. In this case, Premier Li Keqiang declared a war with air pollution (Thornton). As stated by the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP), the air pollution prevention and control law of China was stipulated towards the protection and improvement of human health and the environment to promote sustainable development. The law tasks the local governments as well as the State Council with the atmospheric protection incorporation into the country's social and economic development plans. Local governments are therefore responsible for the atmosphere's quality within their jurisdiction and must ensure measures are taken to meet air quality standards. The departments of fishery, transportation, and public security, at various administrative levels, are expected to manage and supervise atmospheric pollution by all motor-driven vehicles and vessels. All individuals and firms are obligated to protect the atmosphere and have the right to file charges and report those causing any form of pollution (Williams 30). 

The Chinese government puts down multiple strategies to guide policies for curbing air pollution. New construction projects follow the State air emission regulations, which include an environmental impact statement on the potential effects of air pollution on the ecosystem and related preventative measures. Williams states 'firms that discharge pollutants must report these concentrations and categories along with their established treatment facilities to local EPBs' (34). Firms must also not allow their release in the air to exceed set State and local standards. The State then uses these reported categories and quantities published by enterprises to collect fees. Additionally, industrial production facilities with air emissions cannot be built near areas in need of special protection, such as areas subject to Grade I air quality regulations. Tourist cities, provincial capitals, and key cities can also fall subject to targeted air pollution control by the State Council. Firms need to prioritize the adoption of technology and clean production while eliminating air pollution techniques (Williams 35).

Although the government made law, took a number of measures and encouraged non-governmental organization to be against the factories that caused a lot of pollution, it is still a big problem and a host of things would hinder to solve pollution. The most important part is that in China closing the factories means losing the jobs (Watt).  During the National People's Congress, Premier Li Keqiang said that the government should declare war on air pollution and against the model of inefficient and blind development because nature's red-light warning. In this case, not only the government started pay a great attention to protect the environment, but also Chinese people began to focus on the problem of air pollution. Everyone knows that people should protect environment and solve air pollution immediately but it is unreachable goal in nowadays in China. As we know, Chinese has developed rapidly during last there decades and became the second largest country has very high GDP, but those achievement is based on giving up protecting environment. In order to create more value, people and government built a great number of factories that used coal as the major heating source. Those factories that are not environment-friendly help most Chinese workers to find job to make money. In Hebei's Pingshan, the demolition or closure of the 35 factories resulted in layoffs of 3780 workers (Watt). 3780 people lost their jobs caused at least 2000 families started to be poor life and at least 6000 people have to start worry about how to get money to buy food and water. As a factory owner said he do want government to do something to improve the air quality because if the air gets better, it is good for everyone but his life has gotten worse after the closure (Watt). 

Since 3 years ago, I have already heard and read a number of news about air pollution in China. One time, I celebrated Chinese New Year with my family. When the time came to second year, I saw the sky was filled with fireworks. Every family wanted to light their celebratory fireworks, while although those fireworks made sky very beautiful, it has also caused a lot of smoke that is defined as air pollution. This situation happens a lot during the holidays, which causes huge damage to the environment. To sum up, as revealed by the research, air pollution is the worst and most serious concern or threat facing human existence. It causes respiratory diseases, chronic diseases, acid rain and loss of billions of dollars if not millions as well as another serious threat, global warming. Global warming effects are being felt in almost all parts of the world; it is characterized by the increasing heating of the atmosphere and oceans as well as the earth's surface and is expected to have long-lasting consequences. Some of its effects include desertification, a rise in ocean water levels due to the melting of ice caps and is threatening to endanger or drive many extinct species of plants and animals in the world.

