On Jan 6th, news came from the Xianning Headquarters Office of the Critical Battle against Pollution Prevention and Control that the air quality of Xianning City has changed from moderately polluted at 13:00, Jan 5th to good up till now influenced by the graver contaminant transport from northern areas and the unfavorable diffusion condition in Xianning City, where the ambient air quality is grade 2.

According to the comprehensive analysis of air quality value forecast and weather forecast, owing to the much more severe pollution transport from northern areas and the disadvantaged local diffusion condition, the ambient air quality of Xianning City has reached the moderately polluted level, and the major contaminant is PM2.5 (fine particulate matter). At 18:00, Jan 6th, the air quality index was 83, while the major contaminant is PM2.5, and the air quality has changed from moderately polluted to good.

To protect public health and reduce the air pollution degree, the Xianning Municipal Leading Group Office for Joint Prevention and Control of Air Pollution decided to launch the level IV blue alert for heavy air pollution and simultaneously carry out a series of blue alert emergency response measures, according to relevant regulation of “Xianning City Contingency Plan for Heavy Pollution Weather” (No.12 Xianning Government Official Document [2017]).

Environmental protection experts remind that air quality in these 2 days is quite acceptable, however, some pollutants may still wield relatively weak influence on a small group of extremely sensitive people, and they’d better reduce their outdoor activities. (By Chen Zhiru/Xianning Daily)