Researchers of a new study found that goods manufactured for exports to the United States and Europe are partially responsible for the increase in air pollution in China.

University of California - Irvine conducted the study, which is the first one to quantify how much pollution reaching the American West Coast is from the production of cellphones , televisions and other consumer items in China and exported across the globe.

"We've outsourced our manufacturing and much of our pollution, but some of it is blowing back across the Pacific to haunt us," said UC Irvine Earth system scientist Steve Davis, a co-author. "Given the complaints about how Chinese pollution is corrupting other countries' air, this paper shows that there may be plenty of blame to go around."

The nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide emitted by Chinese factories is responsible for that one extra day of smog Los Angeles experiences every year that exceeds federal ozone limits. Chinese exports are also responsible for more than a quarter of the sulfate pollution on the U.S. West Coast on any average day.

Statistics show that China now burns 3.8 billion tons of coal each year, nearly as much as the rest of the world combined. China's CO2 emissions rose by 720 million tons in 2011 - a 9.3% increase. Scientists have found pollution and dust generated in China has been found settling in places as far away as California.

Black carbon emitted from these factories is the biggest problem. This pollutant cannot be washed away by  rain and is also linked to many health hazards like asthma, cancer, emphysema, and heart and lung diseases.

Researchers claim that the findings of their study can help negotiate clean-air treaties across countries in a better manner.

"When you buy a product at Wal-Mart it has to be manufactured somewhere. The product doesn't contain the pollution, but creating it caused the pollution," the author's concluded. "International cooperation to reduce transboundary transport of air pollution must confront the question of who is responsible for emissions in one country during production of goods to support consumption in another."

Air pollution in this Asian country has raised serious concerns in the last few years. In 2010, 1.2 premature lives were lost due to air pollution, according to an article published by NY Times in April, 2013.

Another study published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed that air pollution in the country cuts down life expectancy by 5.5 years.

"Life expectancies are about 5.5 years lower in the north owing to an increased incidence of cardio-respiratory mortality," Reuters quoted researchers as saying. "The analysis suggests that the Huai River policy, which had the laudable goal of providing indoor heat, had disastrous consequences for health. It did not estimate how many lives the policy may have saved from winter cold."

The study notes that the problem might be difficult to control even if the Chinese government starts taking appropriate measures immediately.