US Embassy Classifies Beijing Air As "Hazardous" - 3rd Straight Day Of Heavy Smog - AFP

[hatrack]

BEIJING — Air pollution in Beijing reached "hazardous" levels on Monday, the US embassy said, as thick smog blanketed the city for the third day running, forcing the closure of highways and cancellation of flights.

The Chinese capital is one of the most polluted cities in the world, mainly due to its growing energy consumption -- much of which is still fuelled by coal-fired power stations -- and the high number of cars on the road.

A "hazardous" rating by the US embassy, whose evaluation of the city's air quality often differs markedly from the official Chinese rating, is the worst on a six-point scale and indicates the whole population is likely to be affected. The embassy has rated Beijing's air quality as hazardous on several occasions this month. On October 9, the reading was listed as "beyond index", meaning it went above measurable levels.

By contrast, China's environment ministry said Beijing's air was just "slightly polluted" on Sunday -- the most recent data available -- sparking a debate in China's state-run media and on the Internet.

EDIT

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iJTkt3-cVITDVI6xipFX4aAyYjpw?docId=CNG.d957d0999e1088b0ce61729ec5b6c9f1.5f1

[benld74]

1. Adopted from China in 2002,,,

We were in Beijing in mid-December. COLD! You could always TASTE the air! YUCK! In Tianemen square, i the middle of the day, it looked more like LATE afternoon. I have video of a faint yellow ball up in the sky, which was the sun. And they were blaming the weather at the time.

[Systematic Chaos]

2. Mmmmm!!! Cut me off a thick slab of that "beyond index," would 'ya?

With a side of heavy carbon monoxide, please.

:puke: