Vehicles move slowly through heavy smog in Beijing on Thursday, January 16. China's manufacturing of exports generates pollution that harms air quality -- not only in Asia but also all the way across the Pacific Ocean in the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F01%2F20%2Fhealth%2Fpollution-china-pnas%2Findex.html">Western United States</a>, according to a new study.
Pollution in China —
Vehicles move slowly through heavy smog in Beijing on Thursday, January 16. China's manufacturing of exports generates pollution that harms air quality -- not only in Asia but also all the way across the Pacific Ocean in the Western United States, according to a new study.
Wang shikun/Imaginechina via AP Images
A woman wears a face mask on January 16 as thick smog cuts visibility in the Chinese capital. China has seen a huge increase in coal-burning power plants, and its manufacturing practices aren't nearly as efficient as in the West.
Pollution in China —
A woman wears a face mask on January 16 as thick smog cuts visibility in the Chinese capital. China has seen a huge increase in coal-burning power plants, and its manufacturing practices aren't nearly as efficient as in the West.
WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images
A police officer stands guard in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on January 16. The co-author of a new study recommends increasing the efficiency of manufacturing processes and re-examining energy production to decrease pollution in China.
Pollution in China —
A police officer stands guard in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on January 16. The co-author of a new study recommends increasing the efficiency of manufacturing processes and re-examining energy production to decrease pollution in China.
ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images
People use face masks during their commute in Beijing on January 16. The Chinese government is trying to control the number of new vehicle registrations this year in some cities to help improve air quality, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2014%2F01%2F20%2Fautos%2Fchina-autos-pollution%2F">CNNMoney reports</a>.
Pollution in China —
People use face masks during their commute in Beijing on January 16. The Chinese government is trying to control the number of new vehicle registrations this year in some cities to help improve air quality, CNNMoney reports.
WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images
A pedestrian covers his mouth and nose in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on January 16.
Pollution in China —
A pedestrian covers his mouth and nose in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on January 16.
Wang shikun/Imaginechina via AP Images
A tourist takes photos during a heavily polluted day in the capital's Tiananmen Square on January 16.
Pollution in China —
A tourist takes photos during a heavily polluted day in the capital's Tiananmen Square on January 16.
Alexander F. Yuan/ap
Smog shrouds buildings in Changsha in Hunan province on January 14.
Pollution in China —
Smog shrouds buildings in Changsha in Hunan province on January 14.
ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images