Control of toxicity of fine particulate matter emissions in China

Haotian Zheng, Di Wu, Shuxiao Wang (), Xiangdong Li, Ling N. Jin, Bin Zhao, Shengyue Li, Yisheng Sun, Zhaoxin Dong, Qingru Wu, Xiu Chen, Yuzhe Liu, Jianmin Chen, Hezhong Tian, Qian Liu, Jingkun Jiang, Haidong Kan, Kebin He, Hong He, Chuncheng Chen, Jincai Zhao, Scott Weichenthal, John S. Ji, Aaron J. Cohen, Jiming Hao and Qing Li ()
Additional contact information
Haotian Zheng: Tsinghua University
Di Wu: Fudan University
Shuxiao Wang: Tsinghua University
Xiangdong Li: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Ling N. Jin: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Bin Zhao: Tsinghua University
Shengyue Li: Tsinghua University
Yisheng Sun: Tsinghua University
Zhaoxin Dong: Tsinghua University
Qingru Wu: Tsinghua University
Xiu Chen: Fudan University
Yuzhe Liu: Fudan University
Jianmin Chen: Fudan University
Hezhong Tian: Beijing Normal University
Qian Liu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jingkun Jiang: Tsinghua University
Haidong Kan: Fudan University
Kebin He: Tsinghua University
Hong He: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chuncheng Chen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jincai Zhao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Scott Weichenthal: McGill University
John S. Ji: Tsinghua University
Aaron J. Cohen: Health Effects Institute
Jiming Hao: Tsinghua University
Qing Li: Fudan University

Nature, 2025, vol. 643, issue 8071, 404-411

Abstract: Abstract Fine particulate matter (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less; PM2.5) causes millions of premature deaths globally1, but not all particles are equally harmful2–4. Current air-pollution control strategies, prioritizing PM2.5 mass reduction, have provided considerable health benefits but further refinements based on differences in the toxicity of various emission sources may provide greater benefits5–7. Here we integrated field measurements with air-quality modelling to assess the unequal toxicities of PM2.5 from various anthropogenic sources. Our findings revealed that the toxicity per unit of PM2.5 mass differed substantially between major sources, differing by up to two orders of magnitude. PM2.5 from solid fuel combustion in residential stoves had the highest toxicity, followed by those from the metallurgy industry, brake wear, diesel vehicles, petrol vehicles, the cement industry and power plants. We further analysed the source contributions of toxicity-adjusted PM2.5 emissions and population exposures in China. From 2005 to 2021, both the PM2.5 mass and relative-potency-adjusted emissions substantially decreased. Although industrial sources contributed 57.5% to the reduction in PM2.5 mass emissions, the reduction in relative potency-adjusted emissions was driven by residential combustion (approximately 80%). Clean-air policies should consider the differing toxicities of PM2.5 when formulating source-specific emission control regulations. This study proposes a cellular toxicity-based framework for PM2.5 reduction that could address the specific health risks in diverse regions, but further epidemiological studies will be required to confirm their relevance to human health outcomes and their application to public policy.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09158-w

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