Thick smog blanketing Beijing went "beyond" measurable pollution levels on Monday

AFP
Monday, 21 February 2011

Thick smog blanketing Beijing went "beyond" measurable pollution levels on Monday, the US embassy said, as a Chinese official warned people to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities.

The independent assessment by the embassy said pollution was either hazardous or "beyond index," meaning that air quality had plunged below the worst level on the scale.

The Beijing Environmental Bureau said air quality in most of the city was at level five - the worst rating.

"Obviously elderly people and children should not go outside," an official at the bureau who refused to identify herself told AFP.

Particulate pollution, rising temperatures and a lack of wind caused the stifling smog, which reduced visibility in parts of the city to just 200 metres (yards), the Beijing weather bureau said in a report.

more
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/beijing-air-pollution-off-the-charts-us-says-2221428.html

welcome to communist capitalism.....

is about to be taught to the People's Republic

When I was there in 2006 I was astounded at how poor the air quality was. Hanging in a yellow sky was a glowing cinnamon red disk of the sun.

I think I'm going to invest in respirators.