China’s capital shrouded in air pollution despite reduced emissions from coronavirus economic slowdown

Beijing’s air quality index hit very unhealthy levels this week as local atmospheric conditions trapped pollution in the city

Spike in poor air quality comes despite lower emissions from industry and vehicles due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak

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A man wearing a face mask rides his bicycle along an empty street in Beijing, which has been shrouded in heavy smog this week. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:15am, 14 Feb 2020Updated: 9:03am, 14 Feb 2020

A pall of heavy pollution returned to shroud the skies of Beijing this week, even though environmentally damaging emissions from factories and vehicles were below normal due to the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.

The poor air quality has prompted some experts to say China needs to step up its war on pollution, including strengthening regulation of coal-fired power generation.

Beijing’s air quality index (AQI) was pegged at 222 on Thursday afternoon, 22 points above the threshold for very unhealthy pollution, according to data from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

Readings showed that it was largely made up of harmful microscopic particulates known as PM2.5, which are most damaging to human lungs.

The United States Embassy said Beijing’s PM2.5 levels were as high as 240 micrograms per cubic metre on Thursday, more than 10 times the World Health Organisation’s recommended level of 25.

Smog blanketed skies are not uncommon in Beijing over winter, but this week’s air pollution came when emissions from industry and traffic – the two major contributors – were subdued.

The capital, which is home to 22 million people, has not resumed full economic activity following the Lunar New Year holiday due to the coronavirus.