http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2079837/beijings-new-smog-police-detain-man-causing-air
The environmental watchdog in Beijing has bared its teeth by detaining a man for discharging untreated emissions into the air, as authorities becoming increasingly serious about dealing with the Chinese capital city’s persistent air pollution.
It is the first time Beijing’s environmental police have put someone behind bars since a new environmental police squad was set up in January to crack down on causes of air pollution, including open-air barbecues, garbage incineration and the burning of wood.
An inspection by the environmental watchdog of a heating supply company in Mentougou district found that a key air pollutant reduction component did not function at all due to “operation against regulation” by a staff member, which resulted in the emission of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide at 10 times the allowed level, according to a report on the website of the Legal Daily.
The company was ordered to rectify the problem and fined. The staff member was questioned and confessed to “abnormally operating ” a facility to avoid supervision, thus causing air pollution. He was put under administrative detention by the Beijing police on Monday.
The report did not name the offender or the company, or give details of the length of the punishment, but administrative detention can last up to 15 days.
