Beijing pollution – through a lens, darkly
As Beijing officials issued a first-ever pollution “red alert” the extent of the health and environmental emergency is evident in these before and after images of the Chinese capital. The extreme measures to combat a gray enveloping haze that has shrouded the city led to school closings, factory and construction site shutdowns among other activities, Dec. 8, 2015.
In this composite of two separate images, Tiananmen Square is seen on a clear day and in heavy pollution in Beijing. China’s capital and many cities in the northern part of the country recorded the worst smog of the year on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2015 with air quality devices in some areas unable to read such high levels of pollutants. Levels of PM 2.5, considered the most hazardous, crossed 600 units in Beijing, nearly 25 times the acceptable standard set by the World Health Organization.
China's pollution
A combination photo shows visitors posing for photographs in front of the Tiananmen Gate and the giant portrait of Chinese late Chairman Mao Zedong on a clear, sunny day, left, and on a smoggy day, right.
China's pollution
A combination photo shows people visiting the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, on a sunny day, left, and with the smog blanketing Beijing, right.
China's pollution
In this composite of two separate images, Tiananmen Square is seen under a clear sky, left, in Beijing and in heavy pollution, right, 24 hours earlier.
China's pollution
This combination image of two photographs on a smoggy day and a clear sky day in the central business district in Beijing.
China's pollution
A combination photo shows the giant portrait of Chinese late chairman Mao Zedong on the Tiananmen gate on a clear day, left, and on a smoggy day in Beijing,
China's pollution
A combination photo shows the China Central Television (CCTV) building and the Central Business District (CBD) area on a sunny day, left, and on a smoggy day at right.
China's pollution
A combination photo shows a morning commuter walking in front of the China Central Television (CCTV) building on a smoggy day and on a sunny day, right.
China's pollution
In this composite of two separate images, the Forbidden City is seen under a clear sky in Beijing in heavy pollution, left, and in smog, right.
China's pollution
This combination image of two photos shows a skyscraper under clear skies and in heavy pollution in the central business district in Beijing.
China's pollution
In this composite of two separate images, Tiananmen Square is seen under a clear sky in Beijing and in smog.
China's pollution
A combination photo shows vehicles traveling past the Central Business District (CBD) area on a clear day, left, and smoggy day, right.
China's pollution
A combination photo shows a visitor using binoculars to see the city of Beijing at a viewing deck on the China Central Radio and Television Tower on a clear day, left, and the obscured view with a polluted city.
China's pollution
A combination photo shows visitors standing in Tiananmen Square on a sunny day, left, and a polluted day, right.