#4902

from BBC:

Quote:
China's policy of giving free coal for heating to residents in the north has contributed to shaving 5.5 years off life expectancy there, a study says.

It says air pollution from burning coal in the area north of the Huai River, with a population of some 500m people, was 55% higher than in the south.

The region also had higher rates of heart and lung disease as a result of the policy in force up to 1980.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-23236532