Pollution soars to hazardous levels in BeijingJanuary 15, 2015 - 16:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Pollution has soared to hazardous levels in Beijing, reaching 20 times the limit recommended by the World Health Organization, BBC News reports. Since last week visibility has been low and many people were seen wearing masks. Experts say car emissions and construction in cities are to blame. Parts of China experience heavy smog periodically. After an intense bout in Beijing last year in January, the government pledged to improve air quality. On Wednesday, Jan 14, the government said it would ban the construction of new oil-refining, steel, cement and thermal power plants starting from March, state-run newspaper China Daily said. On Thursday, levels of PM2.5 particulates, which are the most hazardous to health, rose to 568 micrograms per cubic meter, according to the U.S. embassy. The WHO recommends a maximum of 25 micrograms per cubic meter. A yellow pollution alert, the third highest in the four-tier system, has been in place since Saturday, according to the Beijing Meteorological Bureau. Less severe pollution is also expected in Tianjin, Hebei province and parts of Shanxi and Sichuan provinces. A government official in the south-western city of Dazhou in Sichuan Province said earlier in January that the lingering smog was caused by smoking bacon, State-run Xinhua news agency said. Rao Bing, deputy head of Dazhou's Environment Protection Bureau, was referring to the traditional method of preserving pork and sausages common in Sichuan. On Sina Weibo, China's micro-blogging site, many mocked the argument saying "smoking bacon has a long history, but smog does not", Xinhua reported. During previous bouts of heavy smog Chinese government officials have given other controversial explanations for smog including blaming farmers burning straw, another traditional practice. China has also previously restricted industrial production and limited car usage in big cities. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |