Shanghai children told to stay indoors because of air pollution

Particulate pollutants in Shanghai have reached unprecedented levels, with authorities telling citizens to stay indoors and wear masks if outside.

China’s financial hub has been swallowed by thick smog, reducing visibility to less than 50 metres.

Atmospheric particular matter known as PM 2.5, which is emitted by power plants and road vehicles, reached the dangerous level of 602.5 micrograms per cubic metreon Friday afternoon – the highest level since the city started to monitor pollution. According to the World Health Organisation, a safe level is around 25 micrograms per cubic metre.

Shanghai also saw dangerous pollution levels last weekend, when PM 2.5 readings showed 248 micrograms per cubic metre on Sunday December 1. The Shanghai International Marathon took place despite the poor air quality, with some athletes choosing to compete wearing masks.

The situation got worse this weekend, with the government ordering people to keep vehicles off the road, cancel public events and keep vulnerable people indoors.

A recent study by the University of Leeds, sponsored by Greenpeace East Asia, indicated that the burning of coal was the main cause of air pollution in China, causing health problems to citizens and contributing to premature deaths.

Huang Wei, climate and energy campaigner at Greenpeace East Asia, said, “On one hand, we are glad to see that unprecedented measures have been announced, such as capping coal consumption in some of the worst polluted places.

“On the other, we know China simply cannot afford to allow air pollution to continue taking such a heavy toll. By all means China should be racing against the clock to save lives, and it has to bring what it’s doing now to the next level.”

On Thursday, Hong Kong was reported to be experiencing hazardous levels of nitrogen oxide (NO2), which is linked to various respiratory diseases.

Further reading:

Nitrogen dioxide pollution at toxic levels in Hong Kong

World Health Organisation: air pollution is carcinogenic to humans

Majority of Chinese cities failing to achieve sustainability, says study

Coal pollution in China ‘reduces life expectancy’

China to slow down coal consumption as part of clean air plan