Coal burning power plants, steel factories, and cement factories are the primary sources of air pollution. In 2000, China’s coal consumption was 1.4 billion tons. In 2012, that amount soared by 152% at around 3.5 billion tons, or one half of all global consumption. These coal power plants, steel factories, and cement factories produce 90% of sulfur dioxide discharge and 70% of nitrogen dioxide discharge and smoke.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Particulate Matter are the deadliest component in polluted air. They are designated as Group 1 Carcinogen. Fine particulates are suspended in the air, and when inhaled, penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstreams unfiltered causing:
-Permanent DNA mutations
Particle Matter of 40 microns is the smallest the human eye can see. Particles this size can usually be filtered by the hair and mucus in the nose, but the dangers lie in particles smaller than 10 microns or PM 10.