China's northeastern Heilongjiang province is experiencing heavy pollution-induced smog with schools forced to suspend classes and the Harbin city's airport shut for air traffic.
Other parts in that region have also experienced severe smog, including Tangshan, two hours east of Beijing, and Changchun, the capital of Jilin province which borders Heilongjiang.
The air quality index showed levels of 1,000 in some parts of Harbin, where some 11 million people live.
A level above 300 is considered hazardous, while the World Health Organisation recommends a daily level of no more than 20.
Levels as high as in some parts of Harbin are primarily responsible for causing lung cancer and asthma. And many believe the air pollution has cut life expectancy by an average of five-and-a-half years in the north.
Source: Washington Post...More...
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