<P> Vennemo et al., in a 2009 literature review in Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, noted the wide discrepancy between the reassuring view in some Chinese official publications and the exclusively negative view in some Western sources . The review stated that "although China is starting from a point of grave pollution, it is setting priorities and making progress that resemble what occurred in industrialized countries during their earlier stages of development ." Environmental trends were described as uneven . A quality of surface water in the south of China was improving and particle emissions were stable . But NO emissions were increasing rapidly and SO emissions had been increasing before decreasing in 2007, the last year for which data was available . </P> <P> Conventional approaches to air quality monitoring are based on networks of static and sparse measurement stations . However, there are drivers behind current rises in the use of low - cost sensors for air pollution management in cities . </P> <P> The immense urban growth of Chinese cities substantially increases the need for consumer goods, vehicles and energy . This in turn increases the burning of fossil fuels, resulting in smog . Exposure to Smog poses a threat to the health of Chinese citizens . A study from 2012 shows fine particles in the air, which cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases are one of the key pollutants that are accounted for a large fraction of damage on the health of Chinese citizens . </P> <P> The water resources of China are affected by both severe water shortages and severe water pollution . An increasing population and rapid economic growth, as well as lax environmental oversight, have increased water demand and pollution . According to an investigation in 1980, the entire country has 440 billion cubic meters of the total water consumption . Consumption by agriculture, forestry, husbandry, and country residents was about 88 per cent of the total consumption . However, an investigation shows that 19 per cent of water in main rivers which has been polluted as well as a total length of 95,000 kilometers . In addition, a survey for 878 rivers in the early 1980s shows that 80 per cent of them were polluted to some extent, and fishes became extinct in more than 5 per cent of total river length throughout the country . Furthermore, there are over 20 waterways unsuitable for agricultural irrigation due to water pollution . In response, China has taken measures such as rapidly building out the water infrastructure and increased regulation as well as exploring a number of further technological solutions . </P>

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