Northern cities face more smoggy days

Pollution will return midweek and on Saturday, say experts

Heavy smog is expected to affect China's northern cities twice more before the end of the month, the national weather center warned on Sunday.

Moderate and intense levels of air pollution will spread across northern China, including Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province, on Tuesday and Wednesday, and will return on Saturday, the National Meteorological Center predicted.

"The hard-to-clear smoggy days will last until the end of the month in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region," chief weather forecaster Ma Xuekuan said.

The PM2.5 reading might reach 500 micrometers per cubic meter, and visibility could be less than 1,000 meters, according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

PM2.5 refers to particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter that can enter the lungs and bloodstream, endangering health.

The ministry has told local authorities to keep a close watch on pollution levels and take measures to reduce emissions and cut the number of vehicles on the road when necessary.

Residents in cities such as Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang in Hebei province are being urged to use public transport to reduce exhaust emissions.

The NMC requires local authorities to take effective measures to ensure air pollution does not cause health problems, and advises residents in polluted areas to wear face masks.

Antipollution measures during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Beijing resulted in rare blue skies that lasted for two weeks, but the smog has since returned. The capital was enveloped in haze from Nov 19 to 20, and the maximum PM2.5 reading reached 400 micrograms per cubic meter at the peak.

Weather expert Zhang Fanghua said children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases should avoid outdoor activities on smoggy days, and drivers should drive more slowly when visibility is poor.

Ma said winter is generally the worst season for smog because there is little wind to disperse emissions.

Last month, central and eastern China experienced four rounds of smoggy weather, according to the China Meteorological Administration.

Dahuamao, a netizen from Zhengzhou, Henan province, released a public letter online to Ma Yi, mayor of Zhengzhou, on Thursday calling for an "iron fist to fight against smog", triggering public concern about the issue.