Monitoring Air Quality for the 2008 Olympics

Despite widespread concern that air pollution could pose major health problems for athletes competing in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China’s government insists its pollution control policies will be effective in curbing the air quality problem—at least during the games. 

Beijing’s municipal government, along with the Olympic Committee, has put together an emergency task force that will oversee all Olympic operations from a command post of sorts that will be staffed 24-7 for the duration of the games.  The task force will include representatives from eight focus areas that will include the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau—the organization that will be held chiefly responsible for ensuring clean air during the games.  During the games, BEPB says it will deploy a fleet of 20 vans with satellite transmitters that can send air quality measurements from the field back to the control center in downtown Beijing.  Officials could then potentially decide when it’s necessary to issue pollution controls such as shutting down factories or restricting automobile traffic.
Chinese environmental officials say that reaching the projected goal of 80% “blue sky days” during the Olympics won’t be easy, but they say the goal is well within reach. 

Beijing EPB Engineer Jingqi Liu explains different initiatives aimed at reducing the number of cars on the road

The bumper sticker for a program that encourages Beijing residents to leave their cars home at least one day a month to help reduce pollution