Pollution warnings as cities in northeast China shrouded in smog
- Weather bureau issues orange pollution alerts, the second-highest, for Tianjin and seven provinces in the region
- Visibility is down to less than 50 metres in the worst-affected areas
Cities in northeast China were blanketed in thick smog over the weekend, with the weather bureau issuing orange smog alerts – its second-highest warning – for seven areas in the region.
The central meteorological administration on Sunday warned of heavy smog in Tianjin and cities across Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu and Hubei provinces after the alerts were issued on Saturday.
It said visibility was less than 200 metres in some areas in central and southern Hebei, Shandong, central and eastern Henan, and in northern Hubei. In the worst-affected areas, visibility was down to less than 50 metres. The pollution warnings are expected to be in place until Monday.
Hong Kong chokes under haze and high pollution levels, but clearer air expected with next week’s monsoon
The latest alerts come a day after a new study from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago said China’s average life expectancy could be increased by 2.9 years if its air quality improved to levels recommended by the World Health Organisation.
While EPI director Michael Greenstone said China was “winning its war against pollution” with large improvements, its average emission levels continue to be much higher than WHO limits.
While China is still restricting industrial output, traffic and coal use this winter, the ministry said earlier it would allow steel plants to continue production.
Analysts said this year’s winter plan prioritised growth instead, particularly as the economy continues to slow and amid fallout from the ongoing trade war.