Chinese city bans polluting fireworks

WUHAN -- Authorities in a central Chinese city Monday called off a New Year fireworks show to avoid further dirtying the already smoggy air.

The Wuhan government in Hubei province had scheduled the show for Tuesday night. Wuhan has been wrapped in murk for days and the bad air in December has prompted a firework ban in downtown areas.

Most residents support the move as the display is costly and can cause further pollution. Among urban residents, pollution has become a main source of complaints and health concern.

Fireworks celebrations had been allowed for the past 19 years.

Authorities in Beijing said earlier that firework celebrations will be canceled if serious air pollution is forecast for the Lunar New Year, a festival that usually features massive use of pyrotechnics.

The firework firestorm last year in Beijing led to a surge in the PM 2.5 reading to 500 micrograms per cubic meter on Lunar New Year's Eve.

The Chinese have a tradition of celebrating the Lunar New Year with firecrackers and fireworks, hoping the noise will fend off evil spirits and bad luck.