Toxic sandstorm envelops huge swath of China
by The Associated Press
Blowing sand mixed with industrial pollution, bringing Beijing's air quality index to more than 800 in some areas; any reading above 150 is regarded unhealthy for the general population
Beijing’s skyline in air pollution. PHOTO: Wenjie Dong, Getty Images
The Beijing Meteorological Observatory advised people to minimize time spent outdoors and forecast that the murky conditions would linger into Friday morning.
Tens of millions of residents across eight provinces and autonomous regions and in municipal Beijing were told to use masks or scarves when outside to protect their eyes and lungs. The low visibility prompted warnings for drivers to slow down and for airports to take precautions.
Beijing’s air quality index topped 800 in some areas, on a scale ranking anything above 150 as unhealthy for the general population.
The sandstorms begin in areas such as Inner Mongolia where overgrazing and deforestation have increased desert areas. Strong winds pick up loose dust and dirt, mixing them with industrial pollution.
Grit from the storms can travel as far as the western United States.
