Evaluation of the Chinese New Air Quality Index (GB3095-2012) : Based on Comparison with the US AQI System and the WHO AQGs

Abstract

The “PM2.5 issue” was the tipping point for China’s clean air movement last year and the incentive for implementation of the new Air Quality Index (GB3095-2012). It is necessary to carry out an evaluation of the Chinese new AQI system based on comparison with developed countries and improve the system afterwards. The study evaluates the Chinese new Air Quality Index through comparison with the EPA AQI system and with the WHO AQGs as reference. The six mutual indicators have been selected, transformed and categorized into homogeneous groups in order to compare different systems specifically. A review of the AQI system development history, methodology and general information about different indicators corre-sponding to its physical, chemical and health effects have been carried out. The Chi-nese new AQI system is evaluated comprehensively from different perspectives, which include its “reliability and scientificalness”, “systematic disclosure”, “health effects and suggestion”, “timeliness” and “user-friendliness”. The previous study of the AQI system has also been taken into consideration. The result shows that the MEP AQI system has improved a lot in fact, but it still needs to be revised and upgraded in order to meet the international standards, in-cluding several means of measurement, unscientific breaking point, unmatchable monitoring means corresponding to health effects, missing contiguous plan, etc. The suggestion and future endeavors have been given as outcome of the study.