Chinese industrial enterprises conceal pollution, according to research. High factory-density locations have 10.8% higher SO2 values in air pollution monitoring stations after sunset, according to research. Physical inspections by the Ministry of Environmental Protection only temporarily reduce concealed pollutants. This shows that physical inspections alone are unsuccessful if enterprises can shift output to non-daylight hours. As with certain big Chinese polluters, direct monitoring can prevent this issue and be cost-effective for all industrial polluters.

Image courtesy of interviewee. December 19, 2023