Tag Archives: World Heath Organization (WHO)

Chinese struggle through ‘airpocalypse’ smog

Hu Li’s heart sank when she realised that she could gauge how close she was to home by the colour of the air. Driving 140 kilometres from Tianjin City to Beijing last week, she held her breath as the chalky-white … Continue reading

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Beijing’s air quality rated ‘hazardous’ as smog returns to eastern regions

Air quality in Beijing turned “hazardous” while pollution in Shanghai was rated unhealthy as hazy weather was forecast across eastern regions. Concentrations of PM2.5, fine air particulates that pose the greatest health risk, rose to 297 micrograms per cubic metre … Continue reading

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Managing mega-cities’ pollution levels

The pollution monitor on the roof of the US Embassy in Beijing was catapulted into the international spotlight as air pollution deteriorated in the Chinese capital in mid-January. The instrument broadcasts a Twitter bulletin each hour providing a record of … Continue reading

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Krakow’s Air Quality Among the Worst in the World

It is impossible not to notice the thick smogs that periodically blanket Krakow, or to wonder what they are doing to your lungs, but even on seemingly clear days the city’s air is among the most polluted in Europe with … Continue reading

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Beijing smog: When growth trumps life in China

Beijing’s air pollution has soared to hazardous levels, but cleaning up the problem is not straightforward, and is dependant on prioritising quality of life over economic growth. When I wake up in the morning, I pause briefly before opening my … Continue reading

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China’s air pollution again at danger levels

Dangerously high pollution levels have shrouded Beijing in smog for the second time in about two weeks, forcing airlines to cancel flights because of poor visibility and prompting the city government to warn residents to stay indoors. The outlines of … Continue reading

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Air pollution fears in Leicester and Nottingham

Two of the Midlands’ biggest cities are breathing in record quantities of nitrogen dioxide. According to a recent study, Leicester has the highest levels of nitrogen dioxide in England, with Nottingham recording the second highest. Both have some of the … Continue reading

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Diesel fumes more damaging to health than petrol engines

Diesel fumes are significantly more damaging to health than those from petrol engines, according to research which shows that related air pollution contributes to lung disease, heart attacks, asthma and other respiratory problems. The findings, published by the Department for … Continue reading

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