Jakarta Globe – AFP, February 24, 2014
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| China’s National Meteorological Centre has issued several “yellow” smog alerts for much of the country’s north. (AFP Photo) |
Dangerous
smog which has blighted swathes of northern China in recent days has prompted a
spike in air purifier sales, local media reported Monday, as pollution
continued to shroud Beijing.
China’s
National Meteorological Centre issued a “yellow” smog alert for much of the
country’s north on Monday, the fifth consecutive day of heavy pollution which
has slashed visibility and seen pollution reach hazardous levels.
The smog has
prompted a rush by consumers to buy face masks and air purifiers, state-run
China National Radio reported, with sales of the machines tripling in recent
days at one Beijing electronics store, it said citing a store employee.
Beijing
issued an “orange” pollution alert on Friday — the second-highest on the scale
— leading to orders for manufacturing plants in the city to cut production,
while building work has been halted and barbeques curbed.
Physical
education classes and outdoor exercises at schools have also been called off,
the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Levels of
small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and are known as PM
2.5 have repeatedly reached more than 400 micrograms per cubic metre in recent
days, according to a count by the US embassy in Beijing, more than 16 times the
World Health Organization’s (WHO) safety guideline of 25 micrograms.
Cities
across China have been hit by intense air pollution in recent years, much of it
caused by emissions from coal-burning power stations.
China’s
pollution problems are blamed on rapid urbanization, dramatic economic
development, increasing car use and climatic factors. Pollution tends to worsen
in winter.
Airborne
particles have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, and
the problem has emerged as a major source of discontent with China’s
government.
The
National Meteorological Centre has said the pollution is expected to continue
until Thursday.
Agence France-Presse
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