Environmental authorities in Guangdong province aim to reduce the average readings for concentrations of PM 2.5 in the Pearl River Delta region by 2 percent this year over the readings in 2010.

PM 2.5 are fine airborne particles below 2.5 micrometers that are considered hazardous to people's health as they go deeper into the lungs than larger particles that exist in the air.

The provincial environmental protection department issued the annual air pollution control and treatment execution plan for the Pearl River Delta region on Wednesday.

Eight regional air quality monitoring stations and 54 stations in cities will be set up this year, doubling the number of stations in the Pearl River Delta region capable of monitoring ozone levels and concentrations of PM2.5, the Nanfang Daily reported.