China’s urban air pollution

In Beijing and some 30 other cities in eastern and northern China, a recent cold spell and a lack of wind caused air pollution to far surpass hazardous levels. Visibility was less than 3,000 meters in most of Beijing and as low as 500 meters in southern Beijing.

Regarding particulate matter small enough to lodge in lungs and cause respiratory illness, the World Health Organization states that levels should not exceed 25 micrograms per square meter. Levels over 100 are unhealthy, and at 300 the elderly and children should stay indoors. In Beijing, Jan. 10-16, levels were over 400 and unofficially reported as high as 800 in some areas.

Authorities in Beijing implemented stricter standards for vehicle emissions, to start Feb. 1, and this year plans to remove 180,000 older vehicles from the road and close 450 heavily polluting plants.