Condom sales rise in Beijing after smog ‘red alert’ shuts down city

That’s because air pollution in Beijing is directly correlated to the time of year. The reduction in pollutants in Beijing was dramatic with the China Environment Protection Bureau reporting an air quality index (AQI) of 37 at 9pm. Although the world’s focus was on China’s skies, a dense smog is now rendering India’s cities unrecognizable-and it’s way more risky. It said carbon dioxide emissions also should decline.

“I’m considering (an electric car) as the new policy means electric cars aren’t limited from driving on heavy pollution days while other types are”, said Wang Chao, 26, sizing up electric vehicles at a BYD Co Ltd (1211.HK) (002594.SZ) dealership on Wednesday.

Though the smog did dissipate within the following three days, there is debate over whether this was due to the red alert and the accompanying bans and closures, or simply due to northerly winds which blew the pollution clear.

Environmental officials found that the city’s forecasting and early warning systems were weak, CCTV said, and the city government had placed too much reliance on the predictions.

Cheng Shuiyuan, professor of environmental and energy engineering at the Beijing University of Technology, said at a press conference that the PM2.5 level could have been 10 percent higher had those measures not been imposed.

During the alert, schools have been closed, work at 3,500 outdoor construction sites was suspended, and 2,100 factories were ordered to halt operations.

Now, Beijing authorities have though about another measure of cutting down pollution at a lower level by publicly naming and shaming businesses and residential complexes that don’t play by the rules and ignore anti-pollution guidelines. “There are enterprises that close while you check them and open soon after you leave”, he said.

After China’s first pollution “red alert” this week, the government is regulating the number of cars on roads. “The fundamental issue is Hebei’s coal-based economy and industrial structure”.