Beijing: China’s National Meteorological Centre has issued a “yellow” smog alert for much of the country’s north on Monday. The fifth consecutive day of heavy pollution has slashed visibility and seen pollution reach hazardous levels. Beijing issued an “orange” pollution alert, on Friday, the second-highest on the scale.
Levels of small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and are known as PM 2.5 have repeatedly reached more than 400 micrograms per cubic metre in recent days, according to a count by the US embassy in Beijing, more than 16 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safety guideline of 25 micrograms.
China’s pollution problems are blamed on rapid urbanisation, dramatic economic development, increasing car use and climatic factors. Airborne particles have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, and the problem has emerged as a major source of discontent with China’s government.
The National Meteorological Centre has said the pollution is expected to continue until Thursday.