The official People’s Daily said the worst of the storm would be
concentrated on a remote area along the Mongolian border, but that
Beijing and locations as far away as the remote northeast of China would
be affected for at least 24 hours.
Official data from the Beijing government showed average readings of
small breathable particles known as PM 2.5, a major component of China’s
air quality index had risen to 630 micrograms per cubic metre in parts
of the city by Thursday morning.
The World Health Organization recommends concentrations of just 10 micrograms.
State television said old people and children should stay indoors to avoid the worst effects.
The dust storm underlines the environmental challenge China faces, added
to existing concerns about choking smog from coal powered power plants
and factories that also periodically covers much of northern China.
The government has spent billions of dollars on projects to rein in the
spread of deserts, planting trees and trying to protect what plant cover
remains in marginal areas.
– Reuters
