Holy Smoke, Beijing!
Break out the masks, folks!
According to the State Environmental Protection Administration, the brown haze that descended on our fair city hit a whopping 421 on the Air Pollution Index today. To put that in perspective, on a good day it hovers between 50-150. On a bad day, we're looking at 200 or so.
In fact, today's smog is so bad that the American Environmental Protection Agency rates it as Condition Maroon - or Hazardous. They even go so far as to advise "AQI values over 300 trigger health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected." Doctors recommend not undertaking physical exercise outside, and limiting exposure to the pollution.
Not a day to be leaving the house, if you can avoid it. And if you do, make sure you mask up!
Links and Sources
Image: Drum Tower with the hills to the west of Beijing in the background (tbj photographer Simon Lim)
State Environmental Protection Administration: Air Quality Daily Report for 84 Major Cities In China
