Particulate matter emissions from the iron and steel industry of China: Patterns, drivers, and implications

The iron and steel industry is a major PM emitter. Using data from 99 Chinese sites, an LMDI model is applied to decompose PM emission changes into five process‑specific factors: steel output, energy consumption intensity, waste gas generation coefficient, stack emission concentration, and fugitive emission factor, separating stack from fugitive emissions. Nationally, PM emissions declined 23.6% from 2011–2016. The steel output effect drove an 83.7% increase in 2010–2011 but became a reduction driver after 2014. The waste gas generation coefficient effect consistently increased PM emissions (19,516 t in 2015–2016). The stack concentration effect was the dominant inhibitor (reduction up to – 31,558 t in 2015–2016). The fugitive emission factor effect shifted from positive (5,037 t in 2010–2011) to strongly negative (– 23,320 t in 2015–2016). Energy intensity effects were small (<25% contribution). Regional analysis reveals heterogeneity. Most regions followed the national trend, but South China and Northwest China showed annual PM increases, with positive stack emission concentration and fugitive emission factor effects. In Northwest China, the total effect was positive in five of six years, ranging from 1,408 t to 8,305 t annually, with fugitive emissions contributing up to 232% of the annual change. These findings imply that uniform national policies are insufficient. Targeted interventions of accelerating dust removal deployment in South/Northwest China and strengthening fugitive controls was proposed.Implications: The iron and steel industry remains a critical contributor to particulate matter (PM) emissions, with significant implications for air quality, public health, and climate policy. This study identifies and quantifies the key drivers of PM emissions across China’s steel-producing regions, providing a nuanced foundation for targeted emission-reduction strategies. The findings underscore that while national PM emissions have declined overall – driven largely by improved stack emission controls and fugitive emission management – regional disparities persist, particularly in Northwest and South China where certain factors continue to promote emission increases. These insights emphasize the need for regionally tailored policies that address local industrial practices, energy structures, and enforcement capacities. By prioritizing technological upgrades in dust removal, fugitive emission containment, and energy efficiency, policymakers and industry managers can better align steel production growth with air quality and health protection goals. Furthermore, this analysis supports China’s broader efforts to achieve “blue sky” objectives and transition toward greener industrial development, offering a replicable framework for other heavy industrial sectors and regions grappling with similar pollution challenges. Ultimately, integrating such evidence-based driver analyses into environmental governance can enhance the effectiveness of PM mitigation, reduce health burdens on vulnerable populations, and promote sustainable industrial transformation in the face of ongoing economic and climatic pressures.