Air Pollution Crisis in Beijing; Red Alert Declared

Beijing, the capital of China, has declared a 'red alert' for air pollution for the second time, resulting in the closure of all factories and restrictions on half of the vehicles in the city. The red alert is the highest warning level in China's four-tier system. City officials had implemented an emergency plan to reduce air pollution a few weeks ago. This is the second time since 2013 that such a high level of alert has been declared in the world's most populous capital. Eastern China, which houses a large number of the country’s residents, has been grappling with widespread air pollution issues for years. China's air pollution does not remain confined to its borders and is carried to neighboring countries and regions by wind. The increase in air pollution in China over the past years has intensified criticism, but the declaration of a second red alert indicates a worsening crisis. Public and social criticism regarding this issue has also been on the rise. According to AFP, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, which separately monitors air pollution in the Chinese capital, reported that the concentration of particulate matter in the air last week was 300 micrograms per cubic meter. The World Health Organization states that the maximum level of particulate matter should not exceed 25 micrograms per cubic meter over a 24-hour period. The alarming situation in Beijing, which leads to factory closures and vehicle restrictions, will continue from Saturday, December 19, to Tuesday.