CHINA: In response to a forecast of heavy air pollution, Tangshan, China’s foremost steel production hub and Handan, another significant steel production center in northern China, have initiated a level-2 emergency response, according to official announcements made on Thursday.
The northern Chinese city of Tangshan, well-known for its steel production, took to its WeChat account to declare the activation of a level-2 emergency response effective from Friday. This move is aimed at addressing the impending air pollution challenges in the region. Simultaneously, the municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau of Handan also revealed its decision to introduce the same level of emergency response, aligning with Tangshan’s proactive measures.
Under such emergency conditions, local steel mills will be subject to restrictions and requirements to curb production, in a concerted effort to mitigate the adverse impact of air pollution on the environment and public health. The specific measures to be taken by these steel mills in response to the emergency remain to be clarified.
It is noteworthy that both Tangshan and Handan play pivotal roles in China’s steel production, and the decision to activate a level-2 emergency response underscores their determination to environmental sustainability and the well-being of the local population. This emergency response is likely to lead to short-term disruptions in production and operations within the steel industry, which is critical for the national economy.
The duration of the pollution controls in both cities remains uncertain at this time. It is contingent on factors such as the improvement in air quality and the resolution of the conditions that led to the emergency response activation.
