Beijing Faces ‘Biggest Sandstorm of the Decade’

• Beijing was shrouded in thick brown dust in mid-March. Pollution levels were sent soaring as heavy winds blew in from the Gobi desert and parts of north-western China. The meteorological department called it the biggest sandstorm in a decade.

Highlights

• Heavy winds brought in sand from Inner Mongolia to the provinces of Gansu, Shanxi and Hebei, which surrounds Beijing.
• Readings of PM2.5 smaller particles that infiltrate the lungs had reached a maximum capacity of 500, which were far higher than China’s standard of 35 micrograms.
• The World Health Organisation recommends average daily PM 10 concentrations of no more than 50 micrograms.
• Beijing ....