First light pollution case filed in Shanghai
By Cao Li (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-09-03 01:46

The first local light pollution standards may soon pay off.

A citizen in Shanghai has filed a lawsuit at a local court on Wednesday, alleging a local auto company's sign is polluting his bedroom with light.

Lu Yaodong, the accuser, wants to rid himself of the light he has endured for two years through using the law.

"The lamps in front of an automobile exhibition hall downstairs have been illuminating my bedroom at night for nearly two years, seriously affecting my life," said Lu.

"I heard of the standard months ago and knew it would take effect. I could not wait one more day."

Lu asked the accused Yongdazhongbao Auto Sales and Service Co Ltd, which owns the hall, to remove the lamps and give him 1,000 yuan (US$120) in compensation.

The Shanghai Pudong New Area District People's Court has accepted the case.

"Those lamps cannot produce pollution since they are not bright enough to do so," said a manager with the auto company who refused to be named.

An official with the Lighting Advertising Department of the Shanghai Urban Appearance and Environment Administration said the brightness is not the only criterion to judge light pollution.

The administration worked out the standard together with the Shanghai Lighting Association. The standard took effect on September 1.

Some 70 per cent of local residents have no idea exactly what light pollution is, according to a survey recently conducted by the Shanghai Health Education Institute.

"The standard defines in what exact circumstances light can create pollution," said the official.

"We started to draft the standard two years ago because of more and more light pollution complaints," said he.

He said the institute will provide a rule for individuals and units to design lighting facilities in order to avoid light pollution.

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