Beijing Taking Measures To Curb Air Pollution Before Olympics

Beijing Looking To Clean Up Air Pollution Ahead Of '08 Olympics

Beijing plans to “ban one million cars for a two-week test of its smog-control measures” from August 7-20 in an attempt to “clean up its [air] pollution in time for next year’s Olympics,” according to Shai Oster of the WALL STREET JOURNAL.  A Beijing EPA spokesperson said that the ban is “among the measures being considered in preparation for the Games.”  Oster notes to get the ’08 Games, China “promised to reduce concentrations of dangerous pollutants” to within levels accepted by the World Health Organization.  But despite recent efforts, “the haze continues.”  IOC Dir of Communications Giselle Davies said the IOC is aware of Beijing's plans to reduce cars and wants "to see how this would work” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/5).