Airpocalypse Hits Guangzhou

By Matthew Bossons, January 5, 2017

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As you probably already know by now, Guangzhou is currently shrouded in smog, with many air quality apps deeming the city’s air “unhealthy.”

As always, there is some discrepancy between air quality readings from various stations, with the Wangqingsha and Tianhe stations reporting a PM2.5 AQI of roughly 160 (as of 10am, January 5), while Guang Ya Middle School is reporting 294 (as of 12 noon, January 5).

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The Guangzhou Real-time Air Quality Index reported a PM2.5 AQI of 230 at 1pm, bumping the city into the “very unhealthy” range. 

PM2.5 pollution is made up of particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers in diameter or less. These particles are so small that roughly 40 of them could be placed across the width of an average human hair. Particles this small can easily enter the lungs and potentially cause serious health problems

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The 80-storey Citic Plaza Tower, in Tianhe District, obscured by smog this morning.

The poor air quality caused authorities in Haizhu District to issue a yellow fog warning this morning at 7.37am. According to reports, the alert was triggered mainly due to naturally occurring fog, with pollution only playing a small role in the warning. 

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Netizens were quick to share photos of Guangzhou in the smog, some of which were Photoshopped in an attempt to add humor to the bleak situation. One notable image shows Guangzhou’s iconic Five Rams statue in Yuexiu Park with all the rams wearing masks.

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Tencent News states that "low visibility" will hamper Haizhu for the next three days. Motorists are being urged to exercise caution while driving in the haze.

[Image via CBC, WeChat, Tencent News]

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