Beijing authorities use technology in pollution battle

But the city government uses more sophisticated technology for its forecasts, including the one used to trigger the city’s first red alert for smog this week, which brought restrictions on cars, factories and other measures aimed at keeping the smog in check.

With the red alert, driving is restricted by limiting the roads to vehicles with odd- and even-numbered license plates on alternate days.

Such high levels of smog are highly unsafe to people’s health, which is why the government is encouraging residents to stay indoors and why so many residents are wearing surgical masks when traveling outside, to help filter the bad air.

Pollution levels midday Wednesday in central Beijing were mostly between 250 and 300 on the city’s air quality index – suggesting the restrictions were having an effect.

China’s capital registered a boom in online orders for condoms and sportswear rather than masks and air purifiers, state media reported today, as the city of over 22 million people reeled under the first-ever red alert for rising levels of pollution.

An air-quality index posted on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing read 351 on Wednesday night at 6 p.m., meaning PM2.5 levels were still at hazardous levels.

“I stay outdoors most of the time, so I am very anxious that I may have cancer if I continue to live in this kind of air for long time”, said Ms Zhang, 25. A Chinese military policeman wears a mask to protect against the pollution during the daily flag lowering ceremony on Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015. Most of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the burning of coal for electricity and heating – particularly bad when demand peaks in winter – and is also the main cause of smog, which can include multiple pollutants.

A Beijing resident who gave his only his surname, Du, said he was taking advantage of a lack of crowds near the capital’s ancient Forbidden City to stroll and take unique photographs.

Air pollution warnings could have a devastating effect on health and the city’s economy..