Haze sends respiratory cases surging
Source: Agencies |
January 15, 2013, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BEIJING schools kept children indoors and hospitals saw a surge in respiratory cases yesterday following a weekend of off-the charts pollution in China's capital.
City authorities ordered many factories to scale back emissions and were spraying water at building sites to try to tamp down dust and dirt worsening the noxious haze hanging over the city.
Demand spiked for face masks and air purifiers, and hospitals saw increases of up to 30 percent in residents seeking help for breathing problems. Schools in several districts were ordered to cancel outdoor activities such as flag-raising and sports classes, and Beijing authorities advised all residents to "take measures to protect their health."
A Beijing resident out for a morning stroll said: "I'm extremely upset, but there's really nothing much I can do."
Another man, a 60-year-old retiree surnamed Chen, said his elderly relatives were staying with relatives outside the city.
"I'm in pretty good shape, but the older folks have a lot of problems with their hearts, breathing, and high blood pressure," Chen said.
The Beijing Shijitan Hospital received 20 percent more patients than usual at its respiratory health department, Dr Huang Aiben said. Most sought treatment for chronic bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory illnesses, Huang said.
Huang said exposure to such high levels of pollution over the short term can cause bacterial and viral infections, and prolonged exposure could result in tumors.
City authorities ordered many factories to scale back emissions and were spraying water at building sites to try to tamp down dust and dirt worsening the noxious haze hanging over the city.
Demand spiked for face masks and air purifiers, and hospitals saw increases of up to 30 percent in residents seeking help for breathing problems. Schools in several districts were ordered to cancel outdoor activities such as flag-raising and sports classes, and Beijing authorities advised all residents to "take measures to protect their health."
A Beijing resident out for a morning stroll said: "I'm extremely upset, but there's really nothing much I can do."
Another man, a 60-year-old retiree surnamed Chen, said his elderly relatives were staying with relatives outside the city.
"I'm in pretty good shape, but the older folks have a lot of problems with their hearts, breathing, and high blood pressure," Chen said.
The Beijing Shijitan Hospital received 20 percent more patients than usual at its respiratory health department, Dr Huang Aiben said. Most sought treatment for chronic bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory illnesses, Huang said.
Huang said exposure to such high levels of pollution over the short term can cause bacterial and viral infections, and prolonged exposure could result in tumors.
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