After the former China Central Television news anchor Chai Jing's self-funded air pollution documentary
Under the Dome went viral on the weekend, people's concerns about air pollution have reached new heights. But there have also been some suggestions that Chai's video has simply prompted people to buy more protective products, fueling businesses profiting from smog, which treats the symptoms not the illness.
According to the latest seven-day search ratings provided by Taobao.com, China's largest online shopping platform, searches for "children's masks" increased dramatically after the video was released. And on March 1, the sales volume of one anti-pollution mask was nine times more than usual. An online salesman of anti-smog products said the sales peak was unusual, as November and December when the smog is very serious are normally the peak months. Statistics from several online shopping websites show there has been a boom in sales of air purifiers after the video's release.
Analysts say there is huge market for protective products in China and the market is huge. However, to fundamentally curb haze, we should tackle the sources of air pollution.
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