Beijing 'Airpocalypse': Before and After

Beijing on Monday issued its first red alert for pollution, ordering schools to close, halting outdoor construction and restricting car use due to hazardous air quality.

The poisonous smog in Beijing is caused by the burning of coal for industry and heating, and huge amounts of dust from the city’s many construction sites. The problem is being made yet worse by high humidity and low wind.

Air pollution monitors showed areas of Beijing had more than 256 micrograms per cubic metre of the poisonous particles. The World Health Organisation says anything over 25 micrograms is considered unsafe.

Rediff.com tries to give its readers an insight on the magnitude of the smog in the Chinese capital.

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