The PM2.5 sampling instrument in Qingdao [bandao.cn]

Seventeen cities in Shandong Province including Qingdao will be monitoring PM2.5 particles in dust hazes next year, according to the provincial environmental protection department.

PM2.5 are dust particulates with diameters of 2.5 micrometers or less. They can penetrate lungs or even enter the blood streams to cause asthma and cardiovascular disease, among others.

Information collected will be published by the environmental protection department.

Qingdao has acquired the equipment to monitor PM2.5, but the monitoring standards have not been released.

Monitoring PM2.5 should encourage governments at all levels and businesses to ramp up their pollution control, according to the environmental protection department.