Shanghai will invest 10.3 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) in 53 projects to control pollution from PM 2.5, tiny floating particles that measure 2.5 micrometers in diameter or less, the Oriental Morning Post reported, quoting the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau.

As much as 25 percent of Shanghai’s PM 2.5, an important gauge of air quality, comes from motor vehicles.

Another main reason for the high PM2.5 in the city is the location of the city due to being constantly affected by sandstorms from northern China.

Industrial manufacturing also serves as a major source of the pollution.

The city is planning a three-year investment of in air quality control, especially the PM2.5 gauge, the bureau said.