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Download With heavy smog expected in central and eastern China from Thursday to Saturday, the country's meteorological authorities are calling for a ban on fireworks, a senior official said on Wednesday. Chinese people traditionally set off ear-splitting firecrackers during the holiday in the belief that they will ward off evil spirits and bring good luck for the year ahead. But authorities say the use of fireworks will greatly contribute to air pollution. "Firecrackers and fireworks can release large amounts of toxic gas and particles such as sulfur dioxide, which will cause severe air pollution regionally," said Chen Zhenlin, spokesman of the China Meteorological Administration, at a news conference on Tuesday. Sales of fireworks in Beijing have been flat since last Saturday and the three major fireworks companies in the capital are not optimistic about this year's sales figures. "Firecrackers seem to be gradually losing their public appeal for the holiday celebrations," said Wu Liyu, head of the Beijing Fireworks Co, a State-run company. "We have reduced the number of fireworks in the city by roughly 13 percent this year and we are not confident all of our fireworks in stock will be sold." According to Beijing's air quality data, the level of PM 2.5 particles has surged dramatically in recent years. On Chinese New Year Eve two years ago, there were 1,486 micrograms of PM2.5 particles per cubic meter. The World Health Organization considers PM 2.5 levels to be safe when they are below 25 micrograms per cubic meter. | 
