2/14-16 Beijing Air Quality Horrible; Even State Media Press Gov On Silence & Inaction
Beijing) – State media and Beijingers are wondering why the city government took no action while the capital choked through a weekend of soupy smog. The city government said in October that officials would use a four-level system to warn the public about dangerous levels of air pollution. Measures, such as halting factory production, restricting auto usage and temporarily closing schools, were linked to the levels.
The warning levels are color coded – starting with blue at the lowest, followed by yellow and orange, then red as the highest – and linked to the Air Quality Index (AQI) the government uses. The color-coded warnings are announced on TV.
However, none of the steps intended to curb pollution were taken when the air took a turn for the worse from February 14 to 16. According to the October announcement, a yellow warning should have been issued on February 14 when the AQI hit 337, but a blue one was issued instead. By the next day, the AQI soared to 419, and a yellow warning was issued.
The air quality improved a bit as the new workweek started. The AQI dropped to 155 on February 18.
EDIT
http://english.caixin.com/2014-02-18/100640141.html