First air pollution alert of the year
Print Edition
SHANGHAI issued its first air pollution alert — blue, the lowest on the four-color scale — yesterday when the air quality index passed 200 to reach heavy pollution.
The alert triggered anti-pollution measures, including authorities ordering construction sites to suspend open-air operations.
Heavy industry factories, especially those discharging large amounts of volatile organic compounds, were required to reduce waste discharge.
And residents, especially those with heart and lung diseases, were advised to stay inside.
The situation should be better today.
By noon, the average index reached 259, with tiny particle PM2.5 being the major problem.
The level passed 200 micrograms per cubic meter in most districts — eight times the World Health Organization’s standard of 25 micrograms per cubic meter for 24 hours.
According to the Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center, this round of pollution was mainly caused by pollutants carried into the city by a cold front from the north, which often happens at this time of year.
Blue alert was the first air pollution alarm issued by the environment authority this year. A blue alert is issued when there is moderate pollution — an AQI between 151 and 200 and short-time heavy pollution over 200 is forecast in the next 24 hours.
The highest alert, red, is only triggered when the AQI is forecast to top 400, or severely polluted, for the next 24 hours.
Schools and kindergartens will close under a red alert.
The environmental monitoring center said Shanghai’s average AQI would be between 75 and 95, or good today.
Tomorrow’s AQI is forecast at 85 to 105 — 100 is the benchmark for slight pollution. The major problem will be nitrogen dioxide.
The latest cold front from the north will see the top temperature drop to 9 degrees Celsius today from 12 yesterday.
The mercury could drop to as low as minus 3 degrees Celsius in some parts of the city.
Today and tomorrow will be mostly sunny. Tomorrow’s temperature is forecast to be between 3 and 11 degrees.
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