The red alert-the first one ever implemented since the emergency air pollution response was put in place in 2013-was issued after PM 2.5 levels reached as high as 600 micrograms per cubic meter last week, according to Yahoo News.
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It may be holiday season in Beijing as government has issued red alert for air pollution, but the move showed that toxic air is growing worse in China’s massive capital. The reduction in pollutants in Beijing was dramatic with the China Environment Protection Bureau reporting an air quality index (AQI) of 37 at 9pm.
Wang, who runs a Beijing food wholesale company, said the driving limitations were yet another reason to believe electrical, noting the draw additionally of government subsidies that will save him around 100,000 yuan ($15,560) on a new electrical version.
Some dealers say interest has increased by nearly a tenth.
“Recently, the smog is so serious that people aren’t willing to go outside, so they call us to ask”, said Li Hui, owner of several BYD dealerships, which focus on environmentally friendly cars.
And on Tuesday came China’s first pollution red alert.
Much of this air pollution apparently originates from neighboring regions where their pollution levels remained at a hazardous rate, specifically the southern region of Hebei province.
Even if drivers switch to electric vehicles, it may not alleviate the pollution threat – assuming the cars are recharged using electricity generated by coal-burning power plants.
Li also said law enforcement of rules aimed at cutting pollution, such as suspending work at polluting businesses, should be improved.
Accurate information on weather and emissions is considered a strong tool to facilitate smog forecasting and control, helping authorities make effective decisions, said Xie Shaodong, a professor of environmental science at Peking University.
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Also, a revised plan adopted by the city to cut emissions in an emergency proved a significant step back from an earlier plan, it added, but did not say why the plan had been revised.
