• Beijing pollution, specifically as it effects the air quality and water supply, has become a major concern in anticipation of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.Los Angeles Times: Olympians Air a Gripe About Beijing (March 12, 2008)

• 1. Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China (SEPA) established to oversee environmental issuesThe Australian: Beijing Opens Green Super-Ministry (March 13, 2008)
  2. Most pollution generated by construction debris, car exhaust and industrial wasteChina View: Beijing's neighbors report more blue sky days in 2007 January 9, 2008)
  3. One-third of water samples received the absolute worst pollution ratingBeijing Review: China Passes Amended Law to Further Curb Water Pollution (February 29, 2008)
  4. New legislation targets executives of polluting companiesBeijing Review: Heavy Fines Await Water Polluters (February 27, 2008)
  5. Executives eligible for fines up to 1/3 of their previous year's salaryBeijing Review: Heavy Fines Await Water Polluters (February 27, 2008)
  6. New law allows pollution victims to file class action lawsuits, the first legislation of its kind in ChinaChina Daily: Pollution victims get protection (December 25, 2007)

• Effect on the Games

  The Chinese Government claims that water and air pollution will be safely within acceptable levels by the time of the Olympics Games. However, the International Olympic Committee has said that events like cycling and distance running may be delayed due to pollution. Marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie withdrew from the marathon on March 10, 2008 citing concerns over pollution levels.Time Online: Haile Gebrselassie pulls out of Beijing marathon because of pollution (March 10, 2008)

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