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Chinese city paralysed by smog | Chinese city paralysed by smog |
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Choking smog paralysed a north-eastern Chinese city on Monday as visibility fell to under 10 metres in places and pollution readings soared to 40 times the recommended daily level. | Choking smog paralysed a north-eastern Chinese city on Monday as visibility fell to under 10 metres in places and pollution readings soared to 40 times the recommended daily level. |
All highways across Heilongjiang province were shut, while its capital Harbin - home to 11 million people - closed an airport and all primary and middle schools, state news agency Xinhua reported. | All highways across Heilongjiang province were shut, while its capital Harbin - home to 11 million people - closed an airport and all primary and middle schools, state news agency Xinhua reported. |
Meteorological authorities in Jilin and Liaoning provinces also issued a red alert for thick smog or fog. | Meteorological authorities in Jilin and Liaoning provinces also issued a red alert for thick smog or fog. |
In Harbin, the worst-hit city, measurements of PM2.5 - the smallest particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres - reached 1,000 micrograms per cubic metre in places, according to the official China News Service, surpassing the peak of 900 that shocked Beijing residents in January's "airpocalypse". | In Harbin, the worst-hit city, measurements of PM2.5 - the smallest particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres - reached 1,000 micrograms per cubic metre in places, according to the official China News Service, surpassing the peak of 900 that shocked Beijing residents in January's "airpocalypse". |
It is not clear if equipment is able to register levels over 1,000. The World Health Organisation's recommended level for daily exposure is just 25. | It is not clear if equipment is able to register levels over 1,000. The World Health Organisation's recommended level for daily exposure is just 25. |
Officials blamed the first day of winter heating in the city - leading to increased coal burning - low winds and the burning of crop stubble as well as vehicle emissions. Others said a sudden temperature change and humidity might have contributed. | Officials blamed the first day of winter heating in the city - leading to increased coal burning - low winds and the burning of crop stubble as well as vehicle emissions. Others said a sudden temperature change and humidity might have contributed. |
Authorities warned that cities across Heilongjiang will have visibility of under 100 metres in the next 24 hours. | Authorities warned that cities across Heilongjiang will have visibility of under 100 metres in the next 24 hours. |
Visibility across most of neighbouring Jilin province was less than 500 metres on Monday, Xinhua reported. Trains were delayed, most highways closed and all flights from Changchun airport delayed. | Visibility across most of neighbouring Jilin province was less than 500 metres on Monday, Xinhua reported. Trains were delayed, most highways closed and all flights from Changchun airport delayed. |
"Many drivers cannot see my gestures because of the smog. I sometimes have to rely on shouting to let them know my guidance," a traffic policeman in Changchun told the official news agency. | "Many drivers cannot see my gestures because of the smog. I sometimes have to rely on shouting to let them know my guidance," a traffic policeman in Changchun told the official news agency. |
Shenyang in Liaoning and Tangshan, 90 miles (150 km) east of Beijing, was also affected. | Shenyang in Liaoning and Tangshan, 90 miles (150 km) east of Beijing, was also affected. |
"Air pollution in China has blockaded the whole of the eastern area; it's not only Beijing suffering from smog," said Huang Wei, a climate and energy campaigner for Greenpeace in China. "If you look at Beiing, Tianjin, Hebei and Shandong, they are tackling coal consumption. The north-eastern part of China also needs to react by reducing consumption." | "Air pollution in China has blockaded the whole of the eastern area; it's not only Beijing suffering from smog," said Huang Wei, a climate and energy campaigner for Greenpeace in China. "If you look at Beiing, Tianjin, Hebei and Shandong, they are tackling coal consumption. The north-eastern part of China also needs to react by reducing consumption." |
She added: "I think compared to two years ago people are more aware of the health problems that can be caused by air pollution and are calling for faster solutions." | She added: "I think compared to two years ago people are more aware of the health problems that can be caused by air pollution and are calling for faster solutions." |
A survey by the Pew Research Centre this year found 47% of those questioned cited air pollution as a very big problem - up from 36% last year. | A survey by the Pew Research Centre this year found 47% of those questioned cited air pollution as a very big problem - up from 36% last year. |
PM2.5 is particularly dangerous because the matter is small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Last week the WHO's cancer research agency officially classified outdoor air pollution as carcinogenic. | PM2.5 is particularly dangerous because the matter is small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Last week the WHO's cancer research agency officially classified outdoor air pollution as carcinogenic. |
China remains heavily dependent on coal, which accounts for 68.4% of energy usage. A plan released last month by the state council, the country's cabinet, stresses the need to cut consumption, with a target of below 65% by 2017. It also aims to cut the density of small particulate matter by at least 10% in major cities. | China remains heavily dependent on coal, which accounts for 68.4% of energy usage. A plan released last month by the state council, the country's cabinet, stresses the need to cut consumption, with a target of below 65% by 2017. It also aims to cut the density of small particulate matter by at least 10% in major cities. |
Beijing's own proposals will see the government spending 200 to 300 billion yuan (£20bn-£30bn) to cut PM2.5 density in the city by 25% from 2012 levels. | Beijing's own proposals will see the government spending 200 to 300 billion yuan (£20bn-£30bn) to cut PM2.5 density in the city by 25% from 2012 levels. |
Emergency measures will include closing schools and kindergartens and ordering cars with even- and odd-numbered licence plates off the roads on alternate days. | Emergency measures will include closing schools and kindergartens and ordering cars with even- and odd-numbered licence plates off the roads on alternate days. |
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