Coal pollution in China killed 670,000 people in 2012, and 70% of the population was exposed to pollution levels above the national benchmark, according to research at Tsinghua University.
“Tiny particulate pollutants, especially those smaller than 2.5 micrograms (known as PM2.5), were linked to 670,000 premature deaths from four diseases—strokes, lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” Jing writes.
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“That translated to an external cost of 166 yuan for each tonne of coal consumed. Authorities levied only about 5 yuan as a pollution fee per tonne of coal used by consumers, including power companies and iron, steel, and cement producers.” (h/t to InsideClimate News)
