BEIJING -?The World Bank (WB) has approved loans totaling 500 million U.S. dollars to north China's Hebei province to help reduce air pollution, according to a WB press release Tuesday.

Garo J. Batmanian, WB lead environmental specialist and project team leader, said the loans would help Hebei achieve its goal of reducing PM2.5 by 25 percent by 2017 compared to 2012 levels.

PM2.5 particles, the main cause of smog in Hebei, have an aerodynamic diameter equal to or less than 2.5 microns -- 20 to 30 times smaller than the human hair.

The northern province has launched the Hebei Air Pollution Prevention and Control Program to reduce emissions of specific air pollutants in key sectors, such as iron and steel, cement, power, transportation and agriculture.

The program will be backed by investment of 968 million dollars, of which 500 million dollars will be provided by the WB loan, issued through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

"We believe this program will make a substantial difference to air pollution levels," said Bert Hofman, WB country director for China. "And it is at the core of our partnership with China, which aims, among others, for greener and more equitable growth."