China air pollution levels fall: Greenpeace

Chinese cities, such as Beijing, pictured in June, are often hit by heavy pollution, blamed on coal-burning by power stations and industry, as well as vehicle use and climatic factors. - AFP / STR

BEIJING, July 22, 2015 (AFP) - Air pollution levels in China’s cities improved in the first six months of this year, environmental campaign group Greenpeace said Wednesday, but remained far worse than global and domestic standards.

Average levels of PM2.5 -- airborne particulates small enough to deeply penetrate the lungs -- declined 16 percent in 189 cities that were ranked both this year and last, Greenpeace said in a press release.