China's first regulation setting required standards for indoor air quality took effect on Saturday.

The regulation establishes a ceiling for 13 chemical pollutants including formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia and several harmful particulate matters.

"The standard helps to protect the health of Chinese consumers," said Song Guangsheng, director of the China Indoor Decoration Association.

Official statistics show that as many as 111,000 Chinese die of indoor pollution annually. The number of patients suffering from excessive exposure to harmful chemicals in their newly-decorated homes reached 4.3 million last year, while annual economic losses resulting from indoor pollution exceeded 10.7 billion US dollars.

China has already enacted legislation regulating indoor environmental pollution and restricting the use of harmful chemicals used in building materials for indoor decoration.

A World Health Organization report for 2002 listed indoor pollution as one of the 10 major health threats worldwide.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2003)