Scientists test novel air-purity tower

Scientists are conducting tests on a 100-meter-high air purification tower in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, and are expected to issue a statement about its ability to reduce air pollution within the next few months.

Construction of the tower, which is overseen by the Institute of Earth Environment at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was completed in June 2016.

In January, media reports said the tower, which covers 2,580 square meters and was put into operation late last year, is capable of purifying more than 10 million cubic meters of air a day and has an effective range of 10 square kilometers. On average, the facility can help to reduce the concentration of PM2.5 - particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers that can enter the bloodstream via the lungs - by about 15 percent when heavy smog occurs.