Pollution stimulates 'anti-smog' industries

Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei province, has suffered 18 heavily polluted days so far in January. (Photo source: China News Service)

(ECNS) – Smog has been a terrible environmental issue all over China, but some businessmen are finding opportunities to create selling points from it, the Wuhan Morning Post reported.

Some travel agencies are promoting natural scenic destinations with fresh air as their featured products, and have attracted a number of tourists with the concept of "traveling without smog".

Real estate flyers with photos of blue sky in coastal cities can be seen everywhere on the streets of Wuhan. And some housing developers from other cities have begun to use clean air to attract potential buyers.

A businessman said as smog is getting worse in China, demand for coastal real estate is growing.

What's more, some restaurants are promoting an "anti-smog" menu. A server at a restaurant said dishes such as lotus root, lily bulbs, and calla can moisten the lung to reduce harm caused by smog.

But Lu Yongliang, vice-chairman of the China Cuisine Association, said the so-called anti-smog dishes were not effective. "There is no scientific evidence that the food can reach the respiratory tract and lung after being digested, and take away the waste."

Air quality in January has been recorded as being the worst every year in Wuhan, and this year is no different, as the city has suffered 18 heavily polluted days so far.