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| China pollution: Beijing issues first red smog alert | China pollution: Beijing issues first red smog alert |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Schools in Beijing are to close and outdoor construction to stop after the Chinese capital issued its first "red alert" over smog levels. | Schools in Beijing are to close and outdoor construction to stop after the Chinese capital issued its first "red alert" over smog levels. |
| The red alert is the highest possible, and has not been used in the city before, the state-run Xinhua news agency says. | The red alert is the highest possible, and has not been used in the city before, the state-run Xinhua news agency says. |
| Authorities expect more than three consecutive days of severe smog. | Authorities expect more than three consecutive days of severe smog. |
| Cars with odd and even number plates will be banned from driving on alternate days. | Cars with odd and even number plates will be banned from driving on alternate days. |
| The alert comes as China, the world's largest polluter, takes part in talks on carbon emissions in Paris. | The alert comes as China, the world's largest polluter, takes part in talks on carbon emissions in Paris. |
| Current pollution levels in Beijing are actually lower than last week's, but the red alert has been placed because of levels expected over the coming days. | Current pollution levels in Beijing are actually lower than last week's, but the red alert has been placed because of levels expected over the coming days. |
| Global air pollution: Real time map | |
| The order will last from 07:00 local time on Tuesday (23:00 GMT on Monday) until 12:00 on Thursday, when a cold front is expected to arrive and clear the smog. | The order will last from 07:00 local time on Tuesday (23:00 GMT on Monday) until 12:00 on Thursday, when a cold front is expected to arrive and clear the smog. |
| China's CCTV news channel reported at the weekend that some parts of Beijing had visibility of only 200m (660 feet). | China's CCTV news channel reported at the weekend that some parts of Beijing had visibility of only 200m (660 feet). |
| In pictures: Smog's effect on skyline | In pictures: Smog's effect on skyline |
| The smog film taking China by storm | The smog film taking China by storm |
| 'Air dark from pollution' | 'Air dark from pollution' |
| Coal-powered industries and heating systems, as well as vehicle emissions and dust from construction sites, all contribute to the smog which has been exacerbated by humidity and a lack of wind. | Coal-powered industries and heating systems, as well as vehicle emissions and dust from construction sites, all contribute to the smog which has been exacerbated by humidity and a lack of wind. |
| At 18:00 local time (10:00 GMT) on Monday, the air pollution monitor operated by the US Embassy in Beijing reported that the intensity of the poisonous, tiny particles of PM 2.5 was 10 times above the recommended limit. | At 18:00 local time (10:00 GMT) on Monday, the air pollution monitor operated by the US Embassy in Beijing reported that the intensity of the poisonous, tiny particles of PM 2.5 was 10 times above the recommended limit. |
| What are PM 2.5 particles? | What are PM 2.5 particles? |
| The level in Beijing reached more than 256 micrograms per cubic metre in some of the worst-affected areas. The World Health Organization considers 25 micrograms per cubic metre to be a safe level. | The level in Beijing reached more than 256 micrograms per cubic metre in some of the worst-affected areas. The World Health Organization considers 25 micrograms per cubic metre to be a safe level. |
| Activists said the level hit 1,400 micrograms per cubic metre in the north-east city of Shenyang last month, saying it was the worst seen in China. | Activists said the level hit 1,400 micrograms per cubic metre in the north-east city of Shenyang last month, saying it was the worst seen in China. |
| Last week, activists from Greenpeace had urged the Chinese government to declare a red alert. Another Chinese city, Nanjing, issued a red alert in December 2013. | Last week, activists from Greenpeace had urged the Chinese government to declare a red alert. Another Chinese city, Nanjing, issued a red alert in December 2013. |
| On 30 November, Beijing issued an orange alert - the second-highest of the four-tier system adopted in 2013. | On 30 November, Beijing issued an orange alert - the second-highest of the four-tier system adopted in 2013. |
| Correspondents say Chinese officials had been unwilling to commit to hard targets on reducing carbon emissions, but have now realised that the dependence on fossil fuels has to stop. | Correspondents say Chinese officials had been unwilling to commit to hard targets on reducing carbon emissions, but have now realised that the dependence on fossil fuels has to stop. |
| President Xi Jinping vowed to take action on the emissions at the current global climate change talks in Paris. | President Xi Jinping vowed to take action on the emissions at the current global climate change talks in Paris. |
| Are you in Beijing? Have you been affected by the smog? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Are you in Beijing? Have you been affected by the smog? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or please use the form below: | Or please use the form below: |