Air pollution halts Chinese city with 11 million inhabitants
The smog did terminate Harbin â€" one of the largest cities in China, with a population of 11 million, due to potential health problems associated with the phenomenon and a limited visibility to only 10 meters. Schools and local airports are closed and public transport are limited, at a time when the whole town deals with pollution that reached levels 50 times higher than those deemed safe by the World Health Organization.Although it is not the first time that China faces high air pollution levels recorded in Harbin are really shocking. Local government reports an air quality index of 500 â€" the highest possible. Some parts of the city showed an index of particulate material from 1,000 milligrams per cubic meter â€" values that are especially alarming to health authorities.Residents and employees are now especially concerned about dense smog which began taking care of the industrial city. To make matters worse, coal-fired heating system was activated, worsening the pollution."You can't see his own toes in front", announces the official City News Web site. An inhabitant of Harbin also commented: "you can hear the person who you're talking about, but you can't see her".The Government issued a red alert and called on the population to stay at home, wearing masks and eating pears â€" in northern China believed that the fruit help irritated lungs. Despite warnings to stay away from roads, there has been heavy traffic on two highways. According to Inhabitat, the hospitalizations have increased 30% over the weekend, with many people complaining of respiratory problems.The northeastern region of China has implemented for years, strict measures to combat air pollution. so far, local authorities have replaced small heating boilers for central heating, urban systems prohibited coal with high sulphur content and applied cleaner fuel standards for cars. But the biggest problem â€" the city's central heating system, which is fuelled by coal â€" remains active.Harbin is one of China's coldest cities and often faces difficult choice between clean air or warm climate.
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