Olympics spectators warned over air in Beijing

High levels of air pollution in Beijing could damage the health of many spectators at next years Olympic Games, a leading World Health Organisation expert has warned.

Dr Michal Krzyzanowski, said that air quality was so bad in the Chinese capital that those with a history of heart problems and those suffering from asthma should be aware they could be harmed.

The warning came as city officials began a four-day scheme to ban half of Beijing’s almost three million vehicles from the road to try to cut pollution.

Cars with registration plates ending in odd and even numbers will each be banned from the roads for two days.

More than 6,000 police officers have been drafted in to hand out spot fines of £6.50 for anyone caught ignoring the restrictions.

Commuters filled buses and underground trains yesterday as the ban began to take effect.

But despite the fact it visibly thinned out congestion, the ban was unable to shift a layer of smog that hung stubbornly over the capital throughout the day.

However, Du Shaozhong, the deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau, classed the air quality as “good”.

“Today is a good day in terms of pollution. You can go out and do sports or whatever you want,” he said.

The city hopes that, should the system prove effective, it will be used again next August to reduce pollution and traffic during the Games.

Beijing, a city of 13 million people, is one of the world’s most polluted cities, beset by severe smog brewed by heavy industry and vehicles, with the number of the city’s streets ordinarily growing by 1,200 a day.

City authorities hope the ban to cut vehicle emissions by 40 per cent.

However, Dr Krzyzanowski, an expert in air quality, doubted the measures would be effective in the long term and said the WHO still feared for the health of many of those planning to attend the Games.

“I’d be amazed if substantial progress is made in the next 12 months,” he said, pointing out that Beijing’s problems are not just created locally.

"It’s possible the beneficial effect of cutting the traffic in the city will be compensated by the transport of pollution from other parts of China.”

“Even by the standards of Asia, Chinese cities are pretty highly polluted,” he said.

“Those who come with asthma may suffer attacks. I would be concerned for those who have some cardiac condition,” he added.

“This might be more serious as it requires a much more specialised medical response.”

Beijing is one of the world’s most polluted cities and poor air quality, blamed partly on the city’s three million cars - a number growing by 1,200 a day - has long been a top concern for athletes and officials.

Jacques Rogge, the head of the International Olympic Committee, warned last week that events could be postponed if conditions were unhealthy, while some countries say their competitors will arrive in Beijing as late as possible to avoid exposure to pollution.

By Graeme Baker Telegraph.co.uk 18 August 2007