Farmland hot spots increase air pollution

A rise in clearing farmland by burning leftover straw has increased air pollution in parts of northeastern China, the environmental watchdog has warned.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection found 862 suspected hot spots nationwide from Oct 5-17 from satellite sensing technology, an annual increase of 6.7 percent, authorities said on Sunday.

The fires have been a major reason for rising air pollution in northeastern China, with the environmental watchdog pointing out that many hot spots were found in areas where burning farmland fields is illegal such as near airports and expressways.