NAN-F-11
Pollution
Beijing, Jan. 9, 2017 (dpa/NAN) People in Northern China on Monday enjoyed a rare respite from choking air pollution as the smog which choked the area for weeks moved to the country’s south, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.
Many regions in Northern China dropped smog warning alerts over the incident as strong winds from the North-East cleared the air.
“I can finally bring my son outside to play on the frozen river.
“He was really naughty when we had to stay inside,” said Beijing mother, Sunny Lu.
The U.S. embassy said that the level of fine particulates in Shanghai those that can embed deep in lungs measured a “very unhealthy” level of over 200 micrograms per cubic metre early on Monday.
According to WHO, the maximum safe level is 25 micrograms.
The smog reached as far South as Hong Kong where levels of harmful particulates in the city were as high as 141 micrograms per cubic metre, nearly six times the WHO safety limit.
“I went cycling yesterday and I can definitely see it and feel it. My eyes were really dry and I coughed noticeably more,” resident Billy Leung said.
Hong Kong is being affected by an airstream with high pollutant concentrations, the South China Morning Post reported, citing environmental protection authorities.
“I’ve been sneezing non-stop and I can no longer wear contact lenses because my eyes get easily irritated.
“It is definitely worse than when I moved here five years ago,” Hong Kong musician Monica Johnston said. (dpa/NAN)
OYE/AMY
Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Abdullahi Yusuf