A resident in Shijiazhuang, the capital of north China's Hebei province, is attempting to sue the local government over the heavy air pollution that has enveloped the city for around a week.

Li Guixin's case against the defendant (Shijiazhuang Environmental Protection Bureau), includes stipulations such as asking the defendant to perform their duties to ease the pollution, to pay the plaintiff 10,000 yuan (1,600 U.S. dollars) for economic losses, and to be responsible for the cost of the trial. [Photo/Yanzhao Metropolitan Daily]

Li Guixin's case against the defendant (Shijiazhuang Environmental Protection Bureau), includes stipulations such as asking the defendant to perform their duties to ease the pollution, to pay the plaintiff 10,000 yuan (1,600 U.S. dollars) for economic losses, and to be responsible for the cost of the trial.

Li said he has been coughing since December 2013, and has bought masks as protection, an air purifier and a running machine. He has also tried to persuade his family to relocate to a more habitable place but they have rejected his requests as they have gotten used to life in Shijiazhuang.

Li decided to take the legal path when the Shijiazhuang government launched a traffic restriction plan on February 22, 2014 forbidding certain car plate numbers from hitting the road for one day. The numbers will change every day.

Li disagreed with the plan as he said: "the cars we bought are up to standard. If the environmental department thinks something is wrong with the gas, then they should go to the companies that produce the gas. Not us."

He also added that people are exposed not only to threats to their health due to the smog but also to economic losses which the government and companies that discharge pollution should be held responsible for.

For instance, he believes the government should distribute masks and subsidies for air purifiers to residents.

Li's attorney Wu Yufen, also an environmental lawyer, provided her legal services for free for the case, which she believes will push the government to exercise action to curb the pollution.

However, Li's case was rejected by the provincial and city courts. A district court is examining his plaint and will give a response within 7 working days.

The air pollution index of Shijiazhuang reached 337 on Feb. 20 this year. The elderly and ill are advised to stay indoors. People are also recommended not to go outdoors for more than 30 minutes.

The new round of smog has blanketed northern and central China for almost a week, covering over 1.21 million square kilometers.

The national environmental department says that the wide range of smog is caused by huge amounts of discharge of pollution, less windy weather, and a heating system based on coals and transport.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences released a statement on Feb. 25, saying that coal consumption industries, including steel and concrete manufacturers are the main causes of the lingering smog. In major cities, traffic emissions are also contributing to the air pollution. The academy found that besides the growing number of vehicles, petroleum companies are accountable for undeveloped gas refineries. A researcher from the academy said that additives in gasoline generate nitrogen which then turns into PM 2.5, the main substance of the smog.

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