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Beijing’s Air Pollution Could Bring ‘Nuclear Winter’

The thick cloud of deeply hazardous smog covering Beijing could have similar effects to a “nuclear winter.”
Photo by Steven Zhang

China’s economic boom has had some unfortunate side effects — Beijing is currently suffering so much air pollution it looks like it has been nuked. Scientists have warned the thick cloud of deeply hazardous smog covering the city could have similar effects to a “nuclear winter.”

This week, the city has experienced stifling air pollution. Videos from the city show the iconic skyline engulfed in the smog in scenes resembling Stephen King’s The Mist, and residents have been warned to stay inside.

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Heavy smog covered the city of Beijing on February 25.

“Any form of air pollution is unhealthy. The high levels which are being reported in Beijing can lead to premature deaths, heart problems, cardiovascular and respiratory issues,” Janice Nolen, Assistant Vice President of the American Lung Association, told VICE News.

The phrase “nuclear winter” denotes the hypothetical effect of a nuclear war on the climate, with ash and smoke blocking light, falling temperatures, and the resulting widespread death of plants and animals. China’s dense smog might bring this phenomenon closer to reality. A lack of wind, freezing temperatures, and increased production in factories and coal power plants have combined to create these dangerous conditions. The smog could slow photosynthesis in plants, causing horrific results for China’s agriculture and food supply.

Air pollution particulates less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter are referred to as PM 2.5. They're small enough to directly enter the lungs, and even the blood stream, so they pose the largest health risks, especially to vulnerable groups like the elderly and young children.

The US Environmental Protection Agency developed the Air Quality Index scale to calculate PM 2.5 readings — anything on the AQI scale between 301-500 is labeled “hazardous.” The top of the scale is 500. Beijing's high on Wednesday was 562, according to the US Embassy in Beijing. The city's air pollution is literally off the American charts.

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In comparison, the US city with the worst air pollution — Bakersfield, California — averaged a yearly high of 181, nowhere near close to the numbers recorded in Beijing this past week.

David Pettit, an air quality expert at the National Resources Defense Council who was just in Beijing, compared the reported levels of air pollution to smoking a pack of cigarettes.

“Beijing is seeing a significant rise in lung cancer. Hospital admissions for respiratory disorders also increase when the AQI is high,” Pettit told VICE News.

As of Friday morning the air in Beijing remains at dangerous levels, and the companies that make anti-pollution facemasks are running out of inventory and struggling to meet high demand.

“Everybody knows the solutions: cut back on coal, polluting industries like cement and steel, improve fuel quality, restrict driving on bad days, and build more public transit,” Pettit added.

People are speaking out, but the national government isn't responding. Chinese citizens have now taken to social media to criticize the government for not doing enough to address the problem.

Air quality protesters outside the main shopping district. — Patrick Loney (@Lonestar8888)February 26, 2014

Photo via Flickr