Pollution in China Hits 20 Times Safe Limit

A thick haze of smog has descended on parts of northern China, pushing pollution to more than 20 times what the World Health Organization considers a safe limit.

The heavy smog reduced visibility in some areas to such an extent Friday that highways were closed and residents were warned to stay indoors. Beijing authorities raised the city's air pollution alert to orange, its second highest level.

See also: For Your Consideration, Climate Summit: China's Pollution in Pictures

In Hebei, a province bordering Beijing to the north, concentrations of pollutant particles called PM2.5 reached upwards of 500 micrograms per cubic meter, according to Beijing's air quality index. The WHO's recommendation for maximum healthy exposure is 25 micrograms Read more...

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