Dust storms cause air pollution spike across north China
Air pollution soared in Beijing on Wednesday as the Chinese capital was hit by a huge sandstorm, and dust also shrouded other parts of the country in a sickly orange haze.
Photo: TYT
Beijing (AFP): Air pollution soared in Beijing on Wednesday as the Chinese capital was hit by a huge sandstorm, and dust also shrouded other parts of the country in a sickly orange haze.
The official air quality index in Beijing hit the maximum level of 500, indicating "severe pollution", though some unofficial readings were nearly twice that figure.
Authorities issued weather warnings and warned people to reduce their outdoor activities, as visibility fell to less than one kilometre in some areas of the city on Wednesday morning.
In parts of China's north and northwest, high winds and dust turned the sky a lurid tangerine, appearing to cut visibility to less than a few hundred metres in some places.
Authorities said the pollution was largely driven by airborne particles known as PM10, which are small enough to be inhaled and can aggravate a range of respiratory and other health issues.
China's weather service on Wednesday issued a yellow warning for dust across a sweep of the north and northwest for 24 hours from 8 am (0000 GMT).
People in affected areas should "do a good job of protecting against wind and sand, and close doors and windows in a timely manner", the weather service said, adding they should also wear masks while outdoors.
Children, the elderly and people with respiratory allergies and other conditions should "limit how much they go out", the service said.
Dust storms are fairly common across northern China in the spring, when changes in the wind kick up grit across the largely arid region.
The current weather system is "the most extensive of the year so far", according to the weather service, adding that it was expected to weaken from Thursday.
-
What do scientists hope to learn from total solar eclipse in US?
2024-03-28 -
Song lyrics are getting simpler, more repetitive: study
2024-03-28 -
German court rules against Mercedes in emissions case
2024-03-28 -
UK greenhouse gas emissions fell 5.4 percent in 2023: data
2024-03-28 -
French film grooming claims puts focus on child coaches
2024-03-28 -
George Washington University faces $10mn disinformation lawsuit
2024-03-28 -
Climate change is messing with how we measure time: study
2024-03-28 -
Struggling for a can of food: starving Gazans scramble for aid drops
2024-03-26 -
Pandemic accord talks at loggerheads as time ticks away
2024-03-26 -
Racism reducing my desire to play football: Brazil's Vinicius
2024-03-25