Spectator Smog Front and Centre Issue at the Beijing Olympics
Mike Catherall
October 25, 2007
Potential spectators worldwide were advised recently to reconsider traveling to the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, if they have a history of heart problems or asthma.
In an interesting twist of events, Dr Michal Krzyzanowski of the World Health Organization recently told BBC that athletes weren’t his major concern.
His worry lay with the spectators traveling to watch the event.
Exposure to high pollution levels could provoke serious problems for those with a history of asthma attacks or cardiovascular problems
The athletes are in top shape and monitored for any medical emergencies with comprehensive health histories on hand. The spectators come in all shapes and sizes, and may have difficulty receiving proper treatment and medicine in the event of an emergency.
Recent media attention surrounding the concerned athletes of the 2008 Olympics, is serving to raise awareness for the local citizens who will continue to breath the toxic air long after the Olympic roar has faded.
The New York Times recently reported that only 1 percent of the country’s 560-million city dwellers breath air considered safe by the European Union.
1 percent.
Chinese cities are among the most polluted in the world. The World Bank states that 16 of the planet’s 20 most polluted cities are found in China. Pollution has made cancer their leading cause of death, and air pollution alone is blamed for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. (Ministry of Health, 2007)
Humbling statistics.
More important than any gold medal, the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics have become an impetuous for change and awareness in China, a concept that will continue long after the closing ceremonies.
by Maria Hruschak
In an interesting twist of events, Dr Michal Krzyzanowski of the World Health Organization recently told BBC that athletes weren’t his major concern.
His worry lay with the spectators traveling to watch the event.
Exposure to high pollution levels could provoke serious problems for those with a history of asthma attacks or cardiovascular problems
The athletes are in top shape and monitored for any medical emergencies with comprehensive health histories on hand. The spectators come in all shapes and sizes, and may have difficulty receiving proper treatment and medicine in the event of an emergency.
Recent media attention surrounding the concerned athletes of the 2008 Olympics, is serving to raise awareness for the local citizens who will continue to breath the toxic air long after the Olympic roar has faded.
The New York Times recently reported that only 1 percent of the country’s 560-million city dwellers breath air considered safe by the European Union.
1 percent.
Chinese cities are among the most polluted in the world. The World Bank states that 16 of the planet’s 20 most polluted cities are found in China. Pollution has made cancer their leading cause of death, and air pollution alone is blamed for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. (Ministry of Health, 2007)
Humbling statistics.
More important than any gold medal, the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics have become an impetuous for change and awareness in China, a concept that will continue long after the closing ceremonies.
by Maria Hruschak
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