Many Japan Local Govts Start to Release PM 2.5 Data

Tokyo, Feb. 11 (Jiji Press)--A growing number of local governments, mainly in the Kyushu southwestern Japan region, are releasing observation data on air pollutant PM 2.5 coming to the country from China. Some of them plan to issue warnings if necessary to residents and give advice on measures they should take to prevent possible effects from the substance, because special alert would be necessary between around early spring and June, when yellow sand is brought to Japan by winds from China. Since air pollution in China started to become serious in January, the amount of PM 2.5, or particle matter with 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, surged in Kyushu, which is close to China, with some areas seeing the PM 2.5 concentration exceed the state-set daily average limit of 35 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Since then, many local governments in Kyushu have received a number of inquiries about the key pollutant and possible health damage. A micrometer is one-millionth of a meter, and one microgram is one-millionth of a gram. In response to the growing public concerns, the prefectural governments of Fukuoka, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Okinawa began earlier this month to post observation data, such as the amount of PM 2.5 measured every hour, on their Web sites. The Saga and Kumamoto prefectural governments began to release such data ahead of the five prefectures, while Nagasaki Prefecture is set to follow suit and is now making preparations. Elsewhere, the Tokyo metropolitan government has started to release data on the amount of PM 2.5 in the air in the Japanese capital on Twitter. On top of releasing observation data, some local governments are set to issue alerts and advise residents on precautionary measures. The city of Fukuoka plans to call on citizens to wear face masks when going out and gargle after returning home through e-mail if the PM 2.5 concentration as of 6 a.m. stands above 39 micrograms per cubit meter of air. The prefectural government of Tottori, western Japan, will alert residents also via e-mail if the hourly amount exceeds 35 micrograms. The Environment Ministry has said that the current PM 2.5 levels in Japan will not immediately cause health problems. But the ministry is considering compiling guidelines on the pollutant as many local governments have asked it to show standards based on which warnings to residences would be issued. It plans to hold a meeting of experts on Wednesday. Still, officials of the ministry said it remains to be seen if it can show specific numbers due to a lack of sufficient knowledge about health problems that could be caused by PM 2.5. The PM 2.5 levels observed in Japan so far may have partly originated from the country, and it is difficult to gauge how much cross-border pollution is responsible for the readings in Japan, the officials added. END