Skip to content

Pollution

Beijing air pollution levels off the scale

by Lucy Brake 01 Mar 2011
Beijing air pollution levels off the scale

Beijing air quality levels were recorded by the U.S. Embassy staff based in the city as exceeding the standard levels. The maximum level of the air quality charts is 500 API (Air Pollution Index), but in Beijing the recordings soared to a massive 595 API. The Beijing weather bureau reported that some parts of the city had visibility to only 200 metres.

The U.S. Embassy officials have been measuring the air quality themselves in the Chinese capital city of Beijing and said that the levels they have recorded this week were ''beyond index''. This means that the measurements they took were well above the threshold that is considered normally to be 'hazardous' to human health.

The situation with the air quality levels in the wider Beijing metropolitan area was of such concern that the entire population of the city, some 22 million people, were advised to try not to go outside. This included healthy adults without any known problems that could be affected by high air pollution.

Polluted air can have potentially deadly impacts on human health, as people breath in nasty combinations of carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds. These substances can all significantly contribute to respiratory problems, particularly for people already susceptible to asthma and allergic reactions.

The problem for Beijing is that the city is powered by many coal-fired electricity stations which constantly pump nasty pollutants into the air and it is also home to an estimated 4.8 million cars which are considered to be a major source of air pollutants. Then as the temperature rises and the wind stops blowing, a thick blanket of polluted smog covers the city.

With the continued rapid population growth expected in China and the economic growth also moving at a fast pace, the demand for electricity from coal plants will continue and the problem of air pollution in Beijing will not be going away. The Chinese government are now planning on revealing a major environment plan to help manage its air pollution, which is expected to include efforts to reduce pollution through taxes and investment in green technology.

So while the Chinese Government works on their ambitious air quality plan, the residents of Beijing will continue to strain for a breath of fresh air.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping