Coal burning in China directly linked to higher mortality rates

Nature : A study based on a Chinese policy from last century shows that the life expectancy of residents of northern China is less than that of residents of southern China—because of the pollution from burning coal. From 1950 to 1980, the Chinese government provided free coal for heating to people living north of the Huai River, which is regarded as the boundary between northern and southern China. The policy meant that more coal was burned north of the dividing line, which resulted in higher air-particulate levels. Also, migration was restricted by law, so most citizens tended to stay in one place. When the researchers compared the air pollution levels and health data, they found that the life expectancy of the 500 million residents of northern China is about 5.5 years less than that of residents of southern China because of the increased incidence of cardiorespiratory problems. Until now, data on the health effects of air pollution has been lacking, so the study provides much-needed information on the long-term risks. “This study highlights that reducing the use of fossil fuels, especially coal, can have immediate benefits completely separate from climate,” said Michael Greenstone, an environmental economist at MIT and a coauthor of the study, which was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.