Gov't: Beijing air quality in August is best in 10 years
20 August 2008
Beijing's environmental protection bureau said the city's air quality has seen its best levels in 10 years this month after the government halted production at factories and took vehicles off the roads for the Olympics, Bloomberg reported. The city has had 18 "full-compliance" days, including nine grade-one days in August, Du Shaozhong, deputy director of Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau, said at a briefing. However, "there is still a gap between meteorological conditions, temperature and humidity with visibility and people's feeling of comfort," he added. Hazy skies leading up to the Olympics prompted International Olympic Committee chairman Jacques Rogge to issue a statement that Beijing's air posed no risks to athletes earlier this month.