Smog shrouds cities, hits transport
Source: Agencies |
January 13, 2013, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AIR pollution levels in Beijing have hit dangerous levels in recent days, with smog drastically reducing visibility and authorities warning people to stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise.
Local authorities said the severe pollution is likely to persist until Tuesday, as weather conditions are preventing pollutants from dispersing.
The Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center has reported air quality readings between 176 and 442 from its monitors throughout the greater Beijing area since Friday.
The monitors measure levels of airborne PM 2.5 particulates. These tiny particles are considered among the most harmful as they can travel deep into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs. Exposure is linked to respiratory and other problems.
Air quality is considered good when readings are 50 or below but hazardous at between 301 and 500, when people are told to avoid outdoor physical activities.
The elderly, children and those suffering from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases are advised to stay indoors to reduce exposure to polluted air.
Monitors in Beijing reported air quality indexes above 300 on Friday, and the center's real-time reports showed the capital remained heavily polluted yesterday, with readings around 500 at 5pm from some stations.
A warning on the monitoring center's website yesterday said the density of PM2.5 had reached 700 micrograms per cubic meter in many parts of Beijing and that the pollution was set to linger for three more days.
This air quality data is the worst in Beijing since the municipal government began to track PM2.5 early last year.
Sports activities stop
According to rules issued by the city government in December, all outdoor sports activities are to stop and factories have to reduce their production capacity if Beijing's official air quality reading goes over 500.
In Beijing, authorities have blamed a lack of wind and foggy conditions for the high concentration of air pollutants.
Several other cities, including Tianjin on the coast east of Beijing and Wuhan, capital of central Hubei Province, also reported severe pollution.
In eastern Shandong Province, more than 20 highways were closed as visibility in some areas was reduced to less than 50 meters, the provincial meteorological center said.
And 63 flights in and out of Shandong's eastern coastal city of Qingdao had been canceled or delayed by 2pm yesterday, affecting about 5,000 passengers, said airport authorities.
In southeastern Jiangxi Province, visibility in eight cities was reduced to less than 500 meters. Five highways were closed and dozens of flights delayed at an airport in the provincial capital of Nanchang yesterday morning, said meteorological authorities.
Local authorities said the severe pollution is likely to persist until Tuesday, as weather conditions are preventing pollutants from dispersing.
The Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center has reported air quality readings between 176 and 442 from its monitors throughout the greater Beijing area since Friday.
The monitors measure levels of airborne PM 2.5 particulates. These tiny particles are considered among the most harmful as they can travel deep into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs. Exposure is linked to respiratory and other problems.
Air quality is considered good when readings are 50 or below but hazardous at between 301 and 500, when people are told to avoid outdoor physical activities.
The elderly, children and those suffering from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases are advised to stay indoors to reduce exposure to polluted air.
Monitors in Beijing reported air quality indexes above 300 on Friday, and the center's real-time reports showed the capital remained heavily polluted yesterday, with readings around 500 at 5pm from some stations.
A warning on the monitoring center's website yesterday said the density of PM2.5 had reached 700 micrograms per cubic meter in many parts of Beijing and that the pollution was set to linger for three more days.
This air quality data is the worst in Beijing since the municipal government began to track PM2.5 early last year.
Sports activities stop
According to rules issued by the city government in December, all outdoor sports activities are to stop and factories have to reduce their production capacity if Beijing's official air quality reading goes over 500.
In Beijing, authorities have blamed a lack of wind and foggy conditions for the high concentration of air pollutants.
Several other cities, including Tianjin on the coast east of Beijing and Wuhan, capital of central Hubei Province, also reported severe pollution.
In eastern Shandong Province, more than 20 highways were closed as visibility in some areas was reduced to less than 50 meters, the provincial meteorological center said.
And 63 flights in and out of Shandong's eastern coastal city of Qingdao had been canceled or delayed by 2pm yesterday, affecting about 5,000 passengers, said airport authorities.
In southeastern Jiangxi Province, visibility in eight cities was reduced to less than 500 meters. Five highways were closed and dozens of flights delayed at an airport in the provincial capital of Nanchang yesterday morning, said meteorological authorities.
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