Officials deny allegations that Beijing manipulated air pollution monitoring

Andrew Calhoun, Jr. / 2-29-08 / 3:46PM / Pollution / Current Event #7

The previous articles I've posted have focused in on Beijing's struggle to get their air pollution under control for the upcoming summer Olympics. This article addresses some concerns other officials have had with China's air pollution monitoring system, claiming that it has been tampered with and data has been altered in order to benefit the Chinese government's desire to have the Olympics still be held in Beijing. The claim is that two out of the five stations monitoring air pollution for the area had their readings dropped in favor of the other three stations that had a better reading. Chinese officials involved in monitoring the air pollution claim their monitoring system is in the process of improving and being adjusted, rather than it being an attempt to provide false data.

The response from those involved in the Olympics has varied. Some teams plan to move their training camps to locations just outside of Beijing prior to the event so their athletes can train and adjust to the air pollution inside Beijing. Other individuals like distance runner and marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie are still wary about performing out of fear for their long-term health.

I feel like this issue has a lot more to it then the Chinese government says it does. All I seem to see from the officials in Beijing is good reports but my gut feeling is pointing in the opposite direction. I refuse to believe that officials have been able to reduce air pollution by as much as what they're claiming and there not be some type of miscalculation or mistake with the data. They make it appear as if pollution is a short-term thing with an easy solution; like there are no side effects.

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jatqS_8IItqqf9st8zGgTE68LSNA