Key pollutants to drop in 5 to 10 yrs

But more time is needed for air quality to be as good as that of Western nations, experts say

Emissions of major air pollutants are expected to begin to decline in five to 10 years as part of a reduction in total emissions, but more time will be needed for the environment in China to significantly improve, a recent study concluded.

Volatile organic pollutant emissions are expected to climb and reach their high point by 2020, when ammonia and lead emissions into the air will also peak, according to research by the Research Institute of Resources and Environment Policies at the State Council's Development Research Center, People's Daily reported on Saturday.