BEIJING, Aug. 9 --Shanghai has enjoyed a record 58 straight days of good to excellent air quality, mostly because of brisk winds, the environmental bureau reported yesterday.

The previous record was a 56-day streak in 2003.

Another blue-sky day measuring Grade 1 in air quality is expected today - the eighth in a row.

Grade 1 represents excellent air quality and Grade 2 good quality.

The environmental bureau's report for the past week said heavy wind helped dilute major air pollutants.

An earlier report pointed out there were 130 days of good to excellent air quality in the first five months.

The bureau expects 90 percent of the entire year will be in the same range, making it the best year since 2002.

In addition to the meteorological conditions, campaigns to clean up the environment also contributed to the cleaner skies, the bureau said.

In February, the city has banned highly polluting passenger vehicles from using elevated roads in the downtown area during daytime. As a result, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides from vehicular emissions dropped about 30 percent, the bureau said.

Starting October 1, cargo trucks and passenger vehicles that don't meet emissions standards will be prohibited from driving within the area bounded by the Inner Ring Road.

Shanghai's latest environmental protection plan calls for new sewage plants and pipelines, further reductions in vehicular emissions and power plant upgrades.

(Source: Shanghai Daily)