Chinese Cities Choked by Dangerous Smog for Fifth Day: Factories, Schools Closed

Northern China was shrouded in almost record pollution for a fifth day on Wednesday, disrupting flights, traffic and shipping, and closing factories and schools, with some residents complaining emergency anti-smog measures were not operating. Hundreds of government inspectors patrolled Beijing on Wednesday to enforce temporary bans on barbecues and make sure that cars with even number plates were the only ones on the roads. Many Beijing highrises simply disappeared into the grey haze, as commuters wearing face masks headed to work. Emergency closures of power plants, steel mills and ports…

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Smog Lifts, But Companies’ View of Polluted Delhi Skies is Dim

As New Delhi grappled with its worst smog in 17 years, the head of India’s largest mobile payment firm got on a plane and left, one of thousands of professionals escaping pollution that could cost the capital and the broader economy dear. Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder of PayTM payment start-up, left last Sunday for a temporary stay in Mumbai, worried about the impact of hazardous clouds of dust, smoke and fumes that hang over Delhi during the winter months. “It became very visibly clear that it is going to be…

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After Delhi, Thick Smog Descends Over Lucknow

The air quality in the Uttar Pradesh capital and nearby areas was said to be “alarmingly bad” and polluted for a second straight day on Monday, officials said. According to a study by the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and UP Pollution Control Board, the air quality index of Lucknow was eight times poisonous than the permissible limit. IITR Director Alok Dhawan said the city’s air quality was in bad shape and the situation warranted immediate and urgent attention. People need to be careful…

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Cold Weather, Smog Could Lead to Rise in Heart, lung Cases

The week following Diwali has seen Delhi and the National Capital Region shrouded in a blanket of smog that has made breathing difficult and led to a rise in heart and lung complaints. With the situation unlikely to change for a few more days and the nippy winter already knocking at the doors, cardiologists and pulmonologists have warned that prolonged exposure to the highly toxic air can cause cardiac arrest and lung complications. Noting that cardiovascular disease (CVD), over the past decade, has emerged as the single most important cause…

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Swaraj India Blames Kejriwal and Modi Governments for Delhi Smog

Terming the smog situation in Delhi an environmental emergency, the Swaraj India party on Sunday accused the Delhi and central governments of failing to tackle pollution. “Be it the Municipal Corporations of Delhi, the Delhi government or the Centre, none of the authorities have done justice to the tasks assigned to them, which would have led to control over pollution,” said Swaraj India President Yogendra Yadav. “As the toxic smog continues to loom over the national capital, Swaraj India expresses deep concern over the collective failure of the Delhi and…

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Delhi Air Pollution: How to Shield Your Children Delhi Smog

Numbers don’t affect us. World Health Organisation conducted a survey a few months back and concluded that Delhi is the most polluted city in the world. Delhi air recorded alarming levels of the most dangerous small particulates, known as PM 2.5s, per cubic metre. This should have made us sit up and take notice. It didn’t. Recent reports showed that Beijing and Delhi were neck to neck in air pollution levels and an emergency-like situation was declared in Beijing. Back in India, we let that pass too. The Delhi Government…

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