Traces of China’s air pollution have reached southwestern Japan, alarming residents and leading government officials to consider international cooperation to deal with the problem.

Beijing has been suffering severe air pollution this winter, with thick smog blanketing the capital and concentrations of PM 2.5 pollutants exceeding hazardous levels on more than 15 days in January.

Experts say China has failed to regulate air pollutants such as vehicle emissions, which have grown amid the country’s rapid economic development.

PM 2.5 stands for particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, which can reach deep into the lungs and blood vessels and cause asthma, heart disease and an increased risk of death.

In Nagasaki Prefecture, PM 2.5 concentrations at four locations, including Sasebo and Isahaya, averaged 41 micrograms per cubic meter on Jan. 31, based on data available by 3 p.m.

It exceeded the standard daily average of 35 micrograms set by the Basic Environment Law.

“The concentration is about one-tenth of that in China and is not expected to immediately affect the body,” a prefectural government official said. “But we may issue an alert if the figure rises substantially.”

The Nagasaki prefectural government has been measuring PM 2.5 concentrations at the four locations since April, and the readings are usually about 20 micrograms per cubic meter a day.

The Fukuoka city government has received about 20 inquiries from citizens since mid-January, when the media reported air pollution coming from China over the East China Sea.

The PM 2.5 concentration measured at six locations in the city all exceeded the government standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter a day on Jan. 31.

Readings usually exceed the standard on 20 to 30 days a year, according to a city government official.

via Air pollution from China reaches Japan, other parts of Asia – AJW by The Asahi Shimbun.