The Ministry of Environmental Protection reports on the inspection of severe air pollution in the Northeast region

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Affected by polluted emissions and unfavorable weather conditions, severe air pollution has persisted over large areas in the northeast region; on November 9, the Ministry of Environmental Protection launched an inspection campaign regarding this severe pollution. The Northeast Environmental Protection Inspection Center, in collaboration with the environmental protection departments of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang provinces, conducted inspections on the emergency response measures taken to deal with severe air pollution in 10 key cities, including Shenyang, Anshan, Fushun, Benxi, Liaoyang, Yingkou, Changchun, Yanbian, and Harbin, as well as on the emissions from sources of air pollution. 　　Zou Shoumin, director of the Environmental Supervision Bureau of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, said that the leaders of Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang provinces and relevant key cities attached great importance to the matter and specifically arranged emergency response measures. At present, all key cities have activated their emergency plans for severe air pollution, stepped up law enforcement inspections of sources of air pollution, taken measures such as ordering key enterprises to suspend or limit production, strictly controlling dust pollution from construction activities and roads, strengthening oversight of straw burning, and carrying out timely publicity and information dissemination. However, during the inspections, some issues were also identified: First, some enterprises failed to implement the emergency response measures as required. Three companies, including Guodian Shenyang Thermal Power Co., Ltd., Fushun Mining Group Co., Ltd.’s shale oil refinery, and Liaoning Qingyang Special Chemicals Co., Ltd. in Liaoyang City, failed to implement the requirements regarding the use of low-sulfur coal and production restrictions. Two construction sites, the Zhongwei International Construction Site in Fushun City and the Xinglong Da Aole Building Site, failed to take the necessary measures to suspend work as required. 　　Second, some enterprises still face numerous air pollution issues, particularly small enterprises and small heating boilers, which present significant problems. Fifteen enterprises, including Lihuyu Heat Source Plant of Anshan Heating Corporation, the boiler room of Anshan Normal University, Lijiao Boiler Room of Anshan New Oriental Heat Resistance Co., Ltd., Anshan Yimin Heating Co., Ltd., Fengsheng Heat Source Plant of Anshan Heating Corporation, Taoshan Heating Boiler Room of Anshan Lida Heat Power Company, Benxi Huaxing Heat Power Co., Ltd., Boiler Room 228 of Changchun Tongxin Heat Power Group Dongguang Heating Company, Changchun Xincheng Heating Company, Changchun Xinda Petroleum Group, Changchun Huaneng Nong’an Biomass Power Plant, Jilin Tianchi Mining Co., Ltd. of Yanbian City, Antu Central Heating Co., Ltd. of Yanbian City, Jinhaifa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. of Yanbian City, and Bin County Heat Power Company of Xinma Thermal Power Group in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, suffer from issues such as inadequate air pollution control facilities, malfunctioning pollution control equipment, and an inability to ensure stable emissions that meet regulatory standards. More than 100 small enterprises in Gongjia Floor City in Fushun City lack any treatment facilities, and the waste gases generated during production are released directly into the atmosphere, causing severe air pollution. 　　Zou Shoumin said that in response to the aforementioned issues, the inspection team proposed corrective measures on the spot, requiring local environmental protection departments to take strict action in accordance with the law and to ensure that these corrections are properly implemented. Next, the Ministry of Environmental Protection will continue to monitor air quality in the Northeast region, carry out regular inspections, and urge local authorities to take effective measures to prevent air pollution as well as to handle emergency situations related to severe air pollution.