BEIJING - The government will issue real-time air quality monitoring data in 74 cities starting Ja 1, 2013, the Ministry of Environmental Protection said Friday.

The data will include PM2.5, a gauge that monitors fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less, the ministry said.

Information on major pollutants in the air, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide and fine particles, will also be released, the ministry said.