How many pollution factors and emission sources in Tianjin affect atmospheric environmental quality? The Tianjin Environmental Protection Bureau recently demonstrated its gas-related pollution source information system to the media. This marks the first time Tianjin has adopted information technology to conduct a full-scale survey of all types of pollution factors and emission sources impacting the city’s air quality.

Clear Overview via "One Map, One Table"

Statistics show that as of the end of April, Tianjin had more than 27,000 atmospheric pollution sources, including 238 power and heating enterprises, 1,146 industrial pollution sources, 423 industrial storage yards, 1,708 construction sites of various types, 300 square kilometers of bare land, 450 VOCs-emitting enterprises, 1,983 painting and auto maintenance shops, and 1,768 port operating machines.

In the video conference room of the Tianjin Environmental Protection Bureau, technicians displayed the gas pollution source distribution map and supporting information table (hereinafter referred to as the "One Map, One Table") to journalists on a large electronic screen. Reporters saw that the distribution map integrates an electronic city map, atmospheric management grids, and thematic layers covering boilers, scattered coal, construction sites, waste disposal facilities, industrial enterprises, bare ground, national and municipal environmental monitoring stations and other categories.

When technicians clicked on the construction site thematic layer, construction projects across Tianjin were densely marked with icons on the full territorial map: blue icons represented building construction sites, and green icons stood for municipal landscaping projects.

The map supports unlimited zooming, clearly showing the district and specific location of each construction site. To view detailed information of a single site, users only need to click the corresponding icon to pop up an information sheet. The sheet records comprehensive details including the district where the project is located, developer name, project address, construction area, construction schedule, ongoing construction phase, implementation status of dust prevention measures, affiliated management grid, as well as the names of grid directors and grid officers.

Technicians also presented the gas pollution source information sheet, which records the name, location, longitude and latitude, pollution category, treatment countermeasures, scheduled completion date and person-in-charge of every gas-related pollution source in the city.

A relevant official from the Tianjin Environmental Protection Bureau stated that to build the gas pollution source investigation information system and clarify the full inventory of gas emission sources, since late March of this year, Tianjin has carried out a special city-wide investigation coordinated by the municipal environmental protection authority, with joint participation of the Municipal Development and Reform Commission and all district governments.

The one-month investigation focused on four key sectors closely linked to urban air quality: coal combustion, dust pollution, industrial pollution and port pollution, covering 20 specific investigation items in total.

• Coal combustion: power plants and coal-fired heating enterprises, industrial coal-burning facilities, urban domestic coal consumption, etc.

• Dust pollution: bare land, various construction sites, storage yards and coal yards, waste disposal facilities.

• Industrial pollution: VOCs manufacturers, painting and auto maintenance workshops.

• Port pollution: port operating machinery, port storage tanks, and incoming and outgoing vessels.

After on-site verification and information confirmation, all pollution source data were imported into the gas pollution source investigation platform. Combined with geographic national census data from mapping authorities and historical pollution census results, the "One Map, One Table" system was finally established.

Phased Rectification under the "One Source, One Policy" Model

What functions does the "One Map, One Table" system serve? The official explained that the system visually displays all types of gas pollution sources across all districts, enabling environmental regulators to fully grasp the city’s pollution distribution and significantly improving the pertinence and timeliness of air pollution prevention and control.

In addition, the system continuously updates data based on regular inspections, leaving no gas pollution sources untraced. During the city-wide air pollution inspection launched at the end of April, the "One Map, One Table" provided systematic and detailed basic data support for all inspection teams.

Furthermore, based on the investigation results, relevant municipal departments and all districts formulated targeted treatment plans following the "One Source, One Policy" principle. By assigning fixed pollution sources, dedicated persons-in-charge, customized treatment measures and clear completion deadlines, all rectification tasks have been implemented item by item.

Preliminary statistics show that the 16 districts of Tianjin have formulated and submitted over 8,000 rectification measures for gas pollution sources. In accordance with project schedules, all rectification works will be completed in five batches by the end of May, June, September, December of this year, and within next year respectively.

It is learned that Tianjin will carry out three major follow-up tasks relying on the "One Map, One Table" system.

First, further upgrade the information platform. Authorities will verify all pollution source data submitted by districts, supplement complete longitude and latitude information for each emission source, build dedicated data submission, update and revision portals for different departments and districts, and formulate a data update accountability system. The platform’s functions will be expanded with portable terminal systems to enhance its practicality and convenience.

Second, establish a dynamic update and management mechanism for pollution sources. A district- and department-specific accountability system will be put in place; designated staff will regularly review pollution source information within their jurisdiction and maintain real-time updates on the platform to guarantee data accuracy and timeliness.

Third, supervise rectification progress to ensure on-time completion. A dynamic management mechanism will be implemented for all "One Source, One Policy" rectification plans. Districts will be assessed and ranked based on rectification progress and treatment effects to push forward full completion of all remediation tasks on schedule.