Cities pilot new rules for construction site pollution

Environmental protection authorities in Guangzhou and Beijing are taking measures to deal with builders who create excessive dust at construction sites.

Strong winds stir up large amounts of dust from a construction site in Beijing. [File photo]

Builders in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, will be charged for emissions of dust under a pilot system, the People's Daily said on Monday.

Guangzhou had 792 construction sites in December 2013. During that period, only eight of them were fined. Based on existing regulations in the city, builders are normally only fined 8,500 yuan ($1,359) for pollution produced at their construction sites.

The new tolling system is expected to be introduced as early as August, and a hearing will be held to solicit public opinions before its implementation.

Recent data show that emissions of particles and dust from construction sites account for 21 percent of the PM2.5 concentrations in the Pearl River Delta. In Guangzhou, such emissions are the fourth largest contributor to the city's PM2.5 concentrations.

Similar means for controlling construction dust are also being introduced in Beijing.

A one-year trial program to promote green construction has gone into effect in Beijing's Dongcheng and Xicheng districts.

Builders in the two districts have been ordered to allocate special funds for environmental protection before they launch building projects. The funds should account for 1.25 to 2.4 percent of the total project costs.