Beijing announces ban on the sale of coal to avoid contamination

The Beijing city authorities announced today the progressive ban on the sale of coal. The reason for this disposition is to reduce the serious air pollution affecting Beijing.

A statement from the Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau, said that until 2020 sales will be gradually abolished and the coal use in six districts of the city, and power plants that use this energy source will be closed.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Chinese capital recorded on average in 2013 a concentration of PM 2.5 particles, -the smallest and most adverse for the health- 89.5 micrograms per cubic meter, more than the double than the WHO standard.

The plan would replace coal for other sources of energy like electricity and natural gas to power the heating and communal kitchens in the city.

According to the department, the main causes of pollution in the area include vehicles, followed by the burning of coal and the activity of nearby industries.