Tag Archives: Pollution

Air Selangor : Emergency Water Cut In KL + Selangor Over!

Air Selangor initiated an emergency water cut involving 3 water treatment plants, affecting thousands of homes across Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

Fortunately, that is now over, but Selangor and KL residents are still expected to face “unscheduled water disruption” and “low water pressure” for some time.

 

Air Selangor : Emergency Water Cut In KL + Selangor Due To Pollution!

Please note that this is genuine news, and should not be confused with the 2-day water cut, or the fake news that was circulating earlier about a 4-day water cut in the Klang Valley.

In the wee hours of 10 October 2023, Air Selangor initiated an emergency water cut involving 3 water treatment plants, affecting thousands of homes across Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

This was an “unscheduled” water cut that is separate from the planned water cut for some parts of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, scheduled for 10-12 October.

Due to an “odour pollution incident at Sungai Selangor”, Air Selangor was forced to temporarily shut down three water treatment plants. But fortunately, they were able to resume operation by 4 AM.

Even so, Air Selangor says that certain areas in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur should expect “unscheduled water disruption” and “low water pressure” for some time.

Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) would like to inform on the water supply disruption due to the temporary shutdown at the Sungai Selangor Phase 1 (SSP1), Sungai Selangor Phase 2 (SSP2), Sungai Selangor Phase 3 (SSP3) and Rantau Panjang Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) following an odour pollution incident at Sungai Selangor.

As of 4:00 am this morning (10 October 2023), all four SSP1, SSP2, SSP3 and Rantau Panjang WTPs have resumed operations. However, unscheduled water disruption and low water pressure are still expected at some areas in Klang, Shah Alam, Petaling, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Hulu Selangor and Kuala Selangor regions. The list of affected areas is being updated and will be announced soon.

Alternative assistance through water tankers has been mobilised to the affected areas by giving priority to critical premises. Air Selangor is taking every effort to minimise the impact of disruptions on affected users.

Recommended : Major Water Cut In Klang Valley From 10-12 October 2023!

 

List Of KL + Selangor Areas Affected By Emergency Water Cut!

Here is the official list of areas affected by the October 2023 emergency water cut in the Selangor and KL!

Kuala Lumpur

Petaling District

Gombak District

Klang District

Shah Alam District

Kuala Selangor District

Hulu Selangor District

 

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99 Speedmart Stops Using Single-Use Plastic Bags!

99 Speedmart just stopped using single-use plastic bags! Here is what you need to know!

 

Claim : 99 Speedmart Is Charging RM2 For Plastic Bags!

People are sharing this warning on WhatsApp and social media, warning that 99 Speedmart is now charging RM2 for plastic bags, instead of the standard 20 sen rate.

To encourage customers to bring their own bags, starting from May 1st, Speedmart 99 will charge RM2 for their recycle bag instead of the usual 20 cents. Better bring ur own bag when shopping for groceries at 99.

 

Truth : 99 Speedmart Has Stopped Using Single-Use Plastic Bags!

This appears to be a misunderstanding of a new 99 Speedmart policy to stop using single-use plastic, and move to reusable bags. Here is what you need to know…

Fact #1 : Pollution Charge For Plastic Bags Is 20 Sen Minimum

In May 2022, all state governments in Malaysia agreed to implement a pollution charge on plastic bags, with a minimum charge of 20 sen each. This is part of the “No Plastic Bag Campaign” already carried out in Penang, Selangor and Johor since 2021.

Money collected from the pollution charge does not go to the business collecting them, but instead, goes to each state government.

Fact #2 : 99 Speedmart Stops Using Single-Use Plastic In May 2023

99 Speedmart announced on April 1, 2023, that it would stop using single-use plastic from 1 May 2023 onwards.

Say NO to plastic bag! 🌎
99 Speedmart will stop using single-use plastic bag effective from 1st May 2023. Customers are encourage to bring your own reusable bag or may purchase our “Bag for Life” with only RM2 at any 99 Speedmart outlets near you.
#saynotoplasticbag
#saveearth
#99Speedmart

Perhaps they should not have posted it on April 1, because apparently many people thought they were joking…

But I personally called 99 Speedmart and they confirmed that it is genuine. From 1 May 2023 onwards, they would no longer offer single-use plastic at their outlets, not even if you are willing to pay 20 sen each.

Fact #3 : 99 Speedmart Will Offer RM2 Bag For Life Instead

Instead of single-use plastic bags, 99 Speedmart will offer customers the option to purchase its Bag for Life for RM2 each.

The Bag for Life is a reusable bag that is not only larger, it can be used again and again. On top of that, it will be replaced for FREE if it’s damaged after months or years of use.

That’s why they are calling it Bag for Life – you pay RM2 for a lifetime of use with each reusable bag, which is truly a great initiative!

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Air Selangor : Water Supply Almost Fully Restored!

Air Selangor just announced that water supply to 472 areas in Selangor and Putrajaya are almost fully restored!

 

Air Selangor : Water Supply Almost Fully Restored!

Since the emergency shutdown of the Sungai Semenyih Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and Bukit Tampoi Water Treatment Plant (WTP) occurred yesterday, Air Selangor has been conducting sampling tests, as it cannot restart operations at any of the two water treatment plants, until they record 0 TON three times in a row..

At 8 AM this morning, Air Selangor announced that the Threshold Odour Number (TON) has dropped to 0 for the Sungai Semenyih Water Treatment Plant (Sg Semenyih WTP), and 2 TON for the Bukit Tampoi WTP.

At around 10 AM on Christmas Day 2022, Air Selangor announced that it recorded the Threshold Odour Number (TON) level of 0 three times in a row at the Sungai Semenyih Water Treatment Plant (Sg Semenyih WTP).

At 2:30 PM, the Bukit Tampoi WTP also recorded 0 TON three times in a row, allowing that water treatment plant to restart operations,.

Air Selangor also announced that the Sungai Semenyih WTP has started pumping out clean water at 2 PM today, and will fully restore water supply by 6 AM on Tuesday, 27 December 2022.

The Bukit Tampoi WTP started producing clean water at 6 PM, and will fully restore water supply by 2 PM on Monday, 26 December 2022.

As of 10 PM on Monday, December 26, 2022, Air Selangor announced that it has restored water supply to 98% of affected areas.

Only a few areas in the Petaling district and one area in the Sepang district have not received water supply.

  • Petaling : Taman Bukit Serdang, Taman Mutiara Indah, Taman Saujana Puchong, USJ 11, USJ 12, USJ 15
  • Sepang : Taman Bandar Bukit Puchong

Read more : Water Cut In 472 Selangor + Putrajaya Areas!

 

Earlier : Air Selangor Cuts Water In 472 Areas!

At 7 AM on 24 December 2022, Air Selangor announced that it had to quickly shut down the Sungai Semenyih Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and Bukit Tampoi Water Treatment Plant (WTP), due to “odour pollution” at the Jenderma Hilir Raw Water Pump Station.

Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng later confirmed that the water cut was due “perfume essence” being dumped into the river.

The pollution this time took place in Negeri Sembilan. Perfume essence was dumped into the river. It is one of the most difficult smells to (get) rid of.

As at 10am, the ton (threshold odour number) recorded is as follows: 1 ton at Sungai Limau Manis, 1 ton 1.5km from Sungai Semenyih intake and 4 ton at Sungai Semenyih intake point.

The smell shows to be gradually reducing closer to intake; it is therefore a matter of time before 0 ton is recorded.

Until then, a total of 472 areas in Selangor and Putrajaya continue to have their water supply cut, with 172 areas in Petaling, 54 areas in Hulu Langat, 196 areas in Sepang, 23 areas in Putrajaya, and 27 areas in Kuala Langat.

Recommended : Prego Carbonara Sauce Recall In Malaysia + Singapore!

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Alert : Water Cut In 472 Selangor + Putrajaya Areas!

Air Selangor just announced an emergency water cut in 472 areas in Selangor and Putrajaya on Christmas Eve 2022!

 

Alert : Water Cut In 472 Selangor + Putrajaya Areas!

At 7 AM on 24 December 2022, Air Selangor announced that it had to quickly shut down the Sungai Semenyih Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and Bukit Tampoi Water Treatment Plant (WTP), due to “odour pollution” at the Jenderma Hilir Raw Water Pump Station.

Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng later confirmed that the water cut was due “perfume essence” being dumped into the river.

The pollution this time took place in Negeri Sembilan. Perfume essence was dumped into the river. It is one of the most difficult smells to (get) rid of.

As at 10am, the ton (threshold odour number) recorded is as follows: 1 ton at Sungai Limau Manis, 1 ton 1.5km from Sungai Semenyih intake and 4 ton at Sungai Semenyih intake point.

The smell shows to be gradually reducing closer to intake; it is therefore a matter of time before 0 ton is recorded.

Until then, a total of 472 areas in Selangor and Putrajaya continue to have their water supply cut, with 172 areas in Petaling, 54 areas in Hulu Langat, 196 areas in Sepang, 23 areas in Putrajaya, and 27 areas in Kuala Langat.

Recommended : Prego Carbonara Sauce Recall In Malaysia + Singapore!

 

472 Selangor + Putrajaya Areas Affected By Water Cut

Here is the official list of the 472 areas in Selangor and Putrajaya affected by the 2022 Christmas Eve water cut!

Petaling District

  • Bandar Baru Sri Petaling
  • Bandar Bukit Puchong
  • Bandar Pinggiran Putra
  • Bandar Puchong Jaya – Jalan Tempua
  • Bandar Puchong Utama
  • Bandar Puteri Puchong – Bandar Puteri 1-12
  • Bandar Putra Permai
  • Bukit Jalil
  • Desa Millennia
  • Desaminium
  • Hospital Serdang
  • Hospital UPM
  • Hotel Palace/Selangor Turf Club
  • Kampung Baru Sri Puchong
  • Kampung Batu 14 Puchong
  • Kampung Bersatu Puchong
  • Kampung Kenangan Puchong
  • Kampung Orang Asli Rasau
  • Kampung Sri Aman
  • Kampung Sri Aman Mas 1 Dan 2
  • Kampung Sri Andalas
  • Kampung Sri Langkas
  • Kampung Tengah Puchong
  • Kawasan Perindustrian Seri Kembangan
  • Kota Perdana
  • KTM Serdang
  • Laman Grand View
  • Lestari Perdana – LP1-8
  • Lestari Perdana – Apartment Sri Indah
  • Lestari Putra – Lep 1, 3-7
  • Mardi UPM
  • Mutiara Bukit Jalil
  • Nahrim
  • Pasar Borong Selangor
  • Perindustrian Bukit Serdang
  • Puchong Gateway
  • Pusat Bandar Puchong – Jalan Bandar 3-20
  • Pusat Bandar Puchong – Jalan Merbah
  • Pusat Bandar Puchong – Jalan Bandar 1-2
  • Pusat Perdagangan Seri Kembangan
  • Serdang Jaya
  • Serdang Lama
  • Seri Kembangan – SK 1-4, SK 6-13
  • Sungai Penaga Industrial Park
  • Taman Bukit Serdang – Apartment Bayu
  • Taman Bukit Serdang – Apartment Megaria
  • Taman Bukit Serdang – BS 1-4
  • Taman Bukit Serdang – BS 5/3-5/30
  • Taman Bukit Serdang – BS 6-11
  • Taman Bukit Serdang – BS 9/1-9/4
  • Taman Bukit Serdang – BS 13, 14
  • Taman Bukit Serdang – Jalan Bersatu
  • Taman Bukit Serdang – Jalan Cemara
  • Taman Bukit Serdang – Serdang Heights
  • Taman Dato Demang
  • Taman Denai Puchong
  • Taman Equine
  • Taman Gembira
  • Taman Indah Subang UP
  • Taman linma
  • Taman Kembangsari
  • Taman Muhibbah
  • Taman Mutiara Indah
  • Taman Mutiara Puchong
  • Taman Perindustrian Puchong – Jalan TPP 1, 5, 6
  • Taman Perindustrian Pusat Bandar Puchong
  • Taman Perindustrian Putra Permai
  • Taman Perindustrian Subang
  • Taman Perindustrian UEP – Jalan TP 1-7
  • Taman Pinggiran US) 13
  • Taman Puchong Hartamas
  • Taman Puchong Impian
  • Taman Puchong Intan
  • Taman Puchong Prima
  • Taman Puchong Tekali
  • Taman Puchong Utama
  • Taman Puncak Jalil – PUJ 1-9
  • Taman Putra Permai
  • Taman Saujana Puchong
  • Taman Serdang Jaya
  • Taman Serdang Perdana
  • Taman Serdang Raya – SR 1-8
  • Taman Sri Petaling
  • Taman Sri Puchong
  • Taman Sri Serdang
  • Taman Teknologi Malaysia – ASTRO
  • Taman Universiti Indah – Jalan Indah
  • Taman Universiti Indah – Apartment
  • Taman Universiti Indah
  • Taman Wawasan
  • Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
  • UPM Infoport
  • UPM Veterinar
  • USJ1 – 27

Hulu Langat District

  • Bandar Bukit Mahkota
  • Bandar Puteri Bangi
  • Bandar Rinching (2,3,4)
  • Bandar Seri Putra
  • Bangi Avenue
  • Bangi Estate
  • Blue Water Estate
  • Desa Mahkota Bangi
  • Eco Majestic
  • Institut Genom Malaysia
  • Jalan Dagang Sungai Besi
  • Kampung Aman Bangi
  • Kampung Bahagia
  • Kampung Bangi
  • Kampung Batu 2, 3 & 5 Jalan Bangi
  • Kampung Bukit Kepong
  • Kampung Jalan Enam Kaki Beranang
  • Kampung Kuala Pajam
  • Kampung Machang Hilir Beranang
  • Kampung Rinching Hilir
  • Kampung Sesapan Kelubi
  • Kampung Sesapan Minangkabau
  • Kampung Sesapan Rembau
  • Kampung Sungai Jai
  • Kampung Sungai Kembung Hilir
  • Kampung Sungai Kembung Hulu
  • Kampung Sungai Sematar
  • Kampung Teras )ernang
  • Kolej Professional Mara Beranang
  • Kolej Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Selangor (KUIS)
  • Mara Japan Industrial Institude
  • Mines Resort & Heritage The Mines
  • Pekan Bangi Lama
  • Pekan Beranang
  • Perindustrian Beranang
  • Perumahan PKNS Beranang
  • Pusat Nuklear Negara
  • Rumah Murah PKNS Bangi
  • Seksyen 14 Bandar Baru Bangi
  • Seksyen 15 Bandar Baru Bangi
  • Setia Ecohill
  • Taman Angsana
  • Taman Bangi Indah
  • Taman Bangi Permai
  • Taman Bangi Villa
  • Taman Dalma
  • Taman Desa Serdang
  • Taman Gita Bayu
  • Taman Impian Putra
  • Taman Manikavasagam
  • Taman Perindustrian Mahkota Beranang
  • Taman Serene Height
  • Taman Sri Bangi Bangi Lama
  • Taman Tiara South

Sepang District

  • IPI Ayamas
  • lUKL Block
  • IWK Kota Warisan
  • Jalan Air Hitam Sungai Merab
  • Jalan Bukit Tinggi Sungai Merab
  • Jalan Haji Abdullah
  • Jalan Kemboja Kampung Dato Abu Bakar Baginda
  • alan Teratai, Cempaka Biru, Anggerik
  • Jalan Tok Morah
  • Kafe Beriani Gam
  • Kampung Dato Abu Bakar Baginda
  • Kampung Jenderam Hilir
  • Kampung lenderam Hulu
  • Kampung Licincing
  • Kampung Limau Manis
  • Kampung Orang Asli Bakok
  • Kampung Orang Asli Jambu
  • Kampung Orang Asli Kelinsing
  • Kampung Orang Asli Melut
  • Kampung Pulau Meranti
  • Kampung Sungai Buah
  • Kampung Sungai Merab
  • Kawasan Industri Meranti Jaya 1
  • Kawasan Industri Meranti Java 2
  • Kawasan Industri Presint 14
  • Kedai Makan Seksyen 12
  • Kediaman Nilai Kaseh Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi
  • Kilang WRP Asia Pacific
  • King Henry Vill College
  • Kondominium Pelangi Sungai Merab
  • Kosmopleks Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi
  • Lim Kok Wing University
  • LKIM Pulau Meranti
  • MAEPS
  • Mahkamah Sepang
  • Mahkamah Syariah
  • Majlis Perbandaran Sepang
  • Maktab Perguruan Islam (MPI)
  • Masjid Cyberjaya
  • Masjid Sultan Hishamuddin Salak Tinggi
  • Medan 120
  • Medan Lot 10 Abu Bakar Baginda
  • Muhaimi Auto Service
  • Mutiara Ville Cyberjaya
  • Nusa Putra
  • Pam Minyak Petron
  • Pangsapuri Murni
  • Pangsapuri Suasana Idaman
  • Pejabat Agama Islam Daerah Sepang
  • Pejabat Daerah Tanah Sepang
  • Pejabat]KR Sepang
  • Pejabat Veterina Serdang
  • Perantau Hill
  • Perdana Lake View
  • Perindustrian Meranti Permai
  • Perindustrian Puchong 1-Hub
  • Petronas Sungai Merab
  • PLUS Section C5 Sg Merab
  • Pusat Kejuruteraan Bomba Salak Tinggi
  • Pusat Latihan Dan Institusi Bangi
  • Pusat Latihan Orang Kurang Upaya (PLPP)
  • Pusat Perdagangan KLIA Avenue
  • Pusat Perniagaan Gemilang Kota Warisan
  • Pusat Pertanian Labu Lanjut
  • RKT Sungai Merab
  • Rumah Orang Kaya Sepang
  • Science Park 2 (Pinggiran Cyber, Vega, Qcell)
  • Sekolah Menengah Teknik Sepang
  • Sekolah Agama Abu Bakar Baginda
  • Sekolah Agama Kiblah Bukit Unggul
  • Sekolah Agama Menengah Sungai Merab
  • Taman Desa Mutiara
  • Taman Desa Restu
  • Taman Desa Salak Pekerti
  • Taman Desa Saujana
  • Taman Desa Sentosa
  • Taman Desa Utama
  • Taman Desa Vista
  • Taman Desiran Bayu
  • Taman Indah KLIA
  • Taman Indah Putera
  • Taman Indah Puteri
  • Taman Intan Baiduri
  • Taman Ixora
  • Taman Kenanga
  • Taman Kipark Puchong
  • Taman Kota Warisan
  • Taman La Cottage
  • Taman Lestari Permai
  • Taman Mas Sepang
  • Taman Mawar
  • Taman Merab Persona
  • Taman Meranti Jaya
  • Taman Mulia Sungai Merab
  • Taman Mutiara Merab (Jalan Imam Othman)
  • Taman Pesona Mekar
  • Taman Prima Tropika
  • Taman Puncak Pinggiran Putra
  • Taman Putra Height
  • Taman Putra Impiana
  • Taman Putra Perdana
  • Taman Putra Prima
  • Taman Salak Kasih
  • Taman Salak Perdana
  • Taman Saujana KLIA
  • Taman Selasih
  • Taman Seroja
  • Taman Suria Tropika
  • Taman Suria Warisan
  • Taman Tasik Puchong
  • Taman Villa Merab
  • Temple Mariamman West Country
  • Temple Sri Renganathar
  • The Street Mall
  • Tiara Heights
  • Tol Putrajaya
  • Unipark Condominium
  • UNITEN College
  • Xiamen University Malaysia Campus
  • Sekolah Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Tampoi
  • Kampung Orang Asli Belakang Loji Tampoi

Putrajaya

  • Dataran Putra
  • Presint 1
  • Presint 2
  • Presint 3
  • Presint 4
  • Presint 5
  • Presint 6
  • Presint 7
  • Presint 8
  • Presint 9
  • Presint 10 (A, B, C, D)
  • Presint 11
  • Presint 12
  • Presint 13
  • Presint 14
  • Presint 15
  • Presint 16
  • Presint 17
  • Presint 18
  • Presint 19
  • Presint 20
  • Taman Botani

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Did China Reduce 4X More Air Pollution Than US/EU?!

Did China reduce 4X more dangerous PM2.5 air pollution than the US and Europe?!

Take a look at viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : China Reduced 4X More Air Pollution Than US / EU!

The Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛) and pro-CCP netizens are now promoting the story of how China reduced 4X more air pollution than the US and Europe.

This is based on a Bloomberg article, which declared “China has reduced air pollution nearly as much in seven years as the US did in three decades, helping to bring down average global smog levels in the process“.

Let’s take a closer look at the story, and see what the facts really are!

Recommended : Did US Send 7000 Insects To Destroy Crops In China?!

China Significantly Reduced Air Pollution But Still Far From US / EU Levels

One can readily see why the Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛) and pro-CCP netizens are ecstatic about this, and they have the right to be.

That said, they are turning the great progress China has made into a pissing contest with the US and Europe. So let me just set the record straight.

Fact #1 : China Reduced Air Pollution By Almost 40%

First, let me confirm that the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) did indeed report that China successfully reduced dangerous PM2.5 air pollution by almost 40% between 2013 to 2020.

China must be congratulated for making such an incredible improvement, even though its 9% drop from 2019 to 2020 can be attributed to a drastic reduction of economic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This isn’t just a technical achievement. The reduction in dangerous PM2.5 air pollution is estimated to add 2 years to the life expectancy of the Chinese people.

We should also applaud the Chinese for their very significant contribution to reducing global air pollution – without which, the global average air pollution would have increased, instead of fallen.

Fact #2 : China Air Pollution Was Incredibly High

Now, if the Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛) and pro-CCP netizens just celebrated that achievement, I would have celebrated it with them.

However, since they turned it into a pissing contest, I should point out that a big reason for China’s massive reduction was its incredibly bad PM2.5 air pollution.

Back in the early 2000s, air pollution in China grew so bad that the Air Quality Index (AQI) actually exceeded 500 points for the first time in November 2010 – far beyond the index limit of 300!

The US embassy in Beijing at that time labelled it as “crazy bad”, but later amended it to a more diplomatic “beyond index” – a feat that China repeated 3 times in the next year.

Air pollution was so bad the Chinese government asked foreign consulates to stop publishing their own air quality data. But it didn’t matter – even official Beijing data showed readings of up to 700!

It is from these dubious heights that China finally announced their “War Against Pollution”. Their incredible achievement in reducing air pollution was only made possible by the incredible air pollution they created in the first place.

China = national average, BTH = Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, YRD = Yangtze River Delta, PRD = Pearl River Delta

Fact #3 : Air Pollution In China Still High

Despite cutting down air pollution by almost 40% from 2013 to 2020, China still has high amounts of air pollution.

The EPIC chart above shows that the national average for air pollution in China remains above 30 µg/m³ – 6X above the new WHO guidelines.

Fact #4 : Pollution Reduction Partly Due To Lower Economic Activity

The EPIC report noted that 9% of the drop in China’s air pollution was from 2019 to 2020 – when economic activity in China was drastically reduced due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

Without that 9% drop, the reduction in air pollution would be far less impressive, and China would be recording PM2.5 air pollution at about 35 µg/m³.

Fact #5 : US Has Far Lower Air Pollution

The wumao and pro-CCP netizens may cackle at how China managed to cut their air pollution 4X faster than the US, but that is only possible because the US already has relatively low air pollution.

Even though the United States actually increased its air pollution since 2019, its PM2.5 air pollution levels in the US remain 4X lower than China, at around 7.5 µg/m³.

More importantly, air pollution levels in the United States have remained under 13 µg/m³ since 1998 – at least 4X lower than China’s peak of about 53 µg/m³.

Fact #6 : Even Europe Has Far Lower Air Pollution

The wumao and pro-CCP netizens should also be wary about comparing China’s “quick” reduction in air pollution against Europe.

The EU has steadily reduced air pollution from a peak of just 16 µg/m³ to about 11 µg/m³ – just over half as much as China.

In other words – it is harder for Europe to reduce its air pollution levels which are already pretty low.

Fact #7 : US, EU + China Far From Achieving WHO PM2.5 Guideline

Now, let me end by pointing out that the US, the EU and China all FAIL to meet the updated WHO PM2.5 guideline of just 5 µg/m³.

It will take many years for either the US, the EU or China to hit that, and it would require a tremendous amount of political will and investment.

So instead of mocking other countries, can we just focus on reducing dangerous PM2.5 air pollution?

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India Just Banned Almost All Single-Use Plastic Items!

India just imposed a ban on almost all single-use plastic items, to combat plastic pollution!

 

India Just Banned All Single-Use Plastic Items!

On Friday, July 1, 2022, India imposed a ban on all single-use plastic items – everything from straws and disposable cutlery to cigarette packets!

With the ban in effect, the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of all identified single-use plastic items are hereby prohibited in India.

Those who violate this single-use plastic ban may be jailed for up to five years, or fined more than 100,000 rupees (about US$1,267 | £1,046 | RM 5,582).

The Indian government has setup special control rooms to monitor and enforce the ban at national and state levels.

 

India Still Allows Some Single-Use Plastic Items

This measure was announced more than two years ago by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on January 26, 2019. The list of prohibited single use plastic items include :

  • plastic straws
  • plastic cups, glasses, plates, trays, spoons, forks, knives
  • ear buds with plastic sticks
  • plastic flags
  • plastic stirrers for tea / coffee
  • wrapping and packaging films
  • plastic sticks for balloons, candy and ice-cream
  • cigarette packets, sweet boxes, invitation cards
  • polystyrene (thermocol / styrofoam) decoration
  • plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns thick

The items have been chosen on the basis of three criteria – their low utility, high littering potential and availability of alternative materials.

We know that the manufacturers of these banned items have already shifted or are in the process of shifting, and notices had been sent out by the CPCB last year to these companies alerting them of the ban and to begin the process.

We have given manufacturers plenty of time for preparation – 11 months – before the ban was to come into force. We believe that we have their support and cooperation.

– Indian Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yada

The only single-use plastic items exempted from this ban are PET plastic water bottles, and thick plastic bags.

In 2021, India had already banned plastic bags with a thickness of below 75 microns thick. The government has asked manufacturers and importers to increase the thickness of plastic bags, to promote reuse.

India’s Central Pollution Control Board is also asking people to switch to cotton and jute bags, clay cups, bamboo or wooden cutlery, as well as items made of biodegradable materials.

 

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Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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