'Airpocalypse' shuts Chinese cities

China seems to be affected by another 'airpocalypse' as air pollution levels have risen in several of its eastern cities. Some of the affected areas have closed schools or instructed them to stop all outdoor activity until the air quality reaches better levels. 

Thick smog descended on several cities on Wednesday (December 4th), which has left them barely visible from a distance and has subjected residents to dark days and foul smells.

According to state-run news media, the Chinese government issued the "red alert" to signal dangerous air quality for the first time. The city of Nanjing in the Jiangsu Province experienced a PM2.5 reading of 354 on the Air Quality Index. 

This type of pollution is particulate matter that measures less than 2.5 micrometres and is highly hazardous to human health. Any PM2.5 levels that measure above 300 are considered highly dangerous, but the World Health Organisation suggests that they should be no higher than 20 on the index.

Along with schools being closed in Nanjing and Qingdao banning all outdoor activities, Shanghai diverted 40 flights that were due to arrive at the Pudong International Airport and cancelled another 20 flights when smog levels continued to be bad. The city also grounded a number of planes and closed highways, which were slowly opened a few hours later. 

Qingdao has also banned any burning of rubbish while the smog remains and is restricting all use of government motor vehicles. Nanjing has announced that it will do more to control the emissions created by industry in an attempt to lessen the impact that particulate pollution has on the area. 

While teachers in Nanjing are still required to work while the schools are closed, just in case parents are unable to look after their children at home, the cities have indicated that all measures will stay in place until air quality improves. 

According to the National Meteorological Centre, a total of 25 regions throughout the country have been affected by heavy smog. The centre said that visibility in several of these regions was less than 500 metres on Wednesday night and Thursday (December 5th) morning. 

The smog problem is reminiscent of last year's dire air conditions, which affected large areas of China for extended periods of time.