Extremely serious levels of smog and pollution have enveloped eastern China and have hit an all-time high. The pollution levels are so high that canned fresh air is being sold at shops, available in different flavors. In this intense pollution situation, children and adults on the streets of China are seen wearing masks to take in some breathable air.
Skymet Weather has been following the pollution crisis in China constantly. Senior weather forecasters who have been studying the pollution levels around the world say, “This is obviously not the first time China has faced pollution problems but seeing that the level of pollution rising every year and reaching hazardous levels, there will be a time when people will roam around wearing oxygen masks and gas tanks.”
Pollutants in the air were recorded at hazardous 526 micrograms per cubic meter, or ‘beyond index’. This more than 20 times higher than World Health Organization safety levels over a 24-hour period. According to WHO there should not be more than 25 micrograms per cubic meter in the air.
The off-the-scale smog has been so thick in the last few days that Beijing was forced to temporarily shut down 103 factories and curtail fleets of government cars. On the other hand about 100 flights were cancelled because of poor visibility (33 flights in Beijing, 20 in Qindao and 13 in Jinan). The visibility levels went down from 50 to 100 meters in many areas of eastern China.
The air pollution has led to a “surge in respiratory illnesses” according to China Daily. It was reported that a pediatric hospital in downtown Beijing treated a record 9,000 children this month, mostly flu, pneumonia, tracheitis, bronchitis and asthma patients.
Weather forecast for Beijing informs winds could remain light which means the high pollution and smog levels are expected to persist for a couple of days. High wind speed helps in the clearing fog/mist/haze and smog levels to great extent. Seeing the constant increase in pollution levels every year, grass-root lobbying efforts for more aggressive clean air measures is gaining momentum in China.
