Posted on 03/18/2008 10:30:19 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Air pollution in Beijing reached its highest level on Tuesday as a sandstorm from the north shrouded the capital in dust, choking pedestrians and delaying flights, the government and reports said.
Air pollution measured between levels four and five at monitoring stations throughout the capital, according to the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau's website.
Level five represents the worst air quality under the bureau's monitoring system and automatically triggers warnings for people to stay indoors and refrain from outdoor activities.
"Preparations must be made to guard against the sandstorms, close doors and windows, wear face masks and carry tissue to avoid dust from injuring the eyes and respiratory tract," the meteorological bureau said on its website.
The storms were originating in Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing, and the Inner Mongolian region to the north of the capital and would shroud the capital throughout the day before dissipating later Tuesday, it said.
State radio said numerous flights at the Beijing Capital International Airport were delayed Tuesday morning because of the sandstorm.
Beijing's air quality is routinely rated among the worst in the world by international agencies such as the United Nations and the World Bank, with rampant coal burning, regular dust storms and a growing number of cars cited as the main reasons.
The capital's air has become one of the main concerns ahead of the August Beijing Olympics, with International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge last year warning that endurance events such as the marathon could be postponed or cancelled to protect competitors.
I hate it when that happpens!
Well, China does know about besieging...
The last line talking about some events being either postponed or outright cancelled doesn’t bode well for the athletes.
From blizzards to this? Sounds like the plagues of Egypt during the days of Moses.
It's just that time of year. They'll stop around May.
Calling AlGore!....Can you explain this one please? Your the weather expert, right?
Global warming now causes sandstorms?
“Al Gore? Please pick up the white Courtesy Phone in the Lobby!”
Your seasons are:
Hot as Hell
Cold as Hell
Windy as Hell
Hell
Given the pollution and even the weather - HOT & HUMID - they might as well hold the games in the Sewer System of Rome.
they might as well hold the games in the Sewer System of Rome.
—
the sewer rats,, I mean demRats already have it booked. ;-)
Yet, color this environmental hellhole exempt from the vaunted Kyoto Accords.
Look out world, when China runs out of sufficient water- next 20 years.
I am amused by the response to Level 5 pollution. An automatically-triggered warning for people with breathing problems to stay indoors or avoid going outdoors. That is really going to help.
How pleasant it will be in the heat of August...
Hot as Hell - Very long and extreme
Cold as Hell - Very short
Windy as Hell - Twice a year
Hell - and then there's mud season. Just ending. :)
But we do have absolutely beautiful spring and autumn days.
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