Air in Beijing turned hazardous from very unhealthy even as smog-hit capital has enforced its first-ever red alert for pollution today. Restrictions due to red alert have kept half of private cars in the city of over 22 million people off the roads and schools and construction sites closed. Officials also clamped restrictions on factories and traffic.
Beijing’s air this morning turned from very unhealthy to “hazardous” as PM 2.5 – particulate matter with size equal to or less than 2.5 micron and the main gauge to identify pollutant particles in the air – touched 365 compared to yesterday’s 256 level. The red alert, the most serious level, issued yesterday will last from 7 am today to noon on Thursday.