a day in the life of beijing’s apocalyptic smog - air purifier machine

Beijing is shrouded in smog.
We're going to experience what foreign media calls "airpoc --another days-
Air pollution is choking.
In fact, this is the second time in three weeks.
Life is normal in central Beijing on Monday.
In Ritan Park, couples enjoy an afternoon ballroom dance outside, while others play cards.
But that will change.
We use a scale called the air quality index to measure the level of air pollution on any day.
According to the mobile app I use, the air quality is "good" and if the reading is kept below 50, it does not pose a significant risk to health.
If it rises above 300, the air will be "dangerous ".
This means that it may cause "stimulating and adverse health effects that can trigger the disease.
"It is recommended that you avoid exercise and stay indoors.
By Tuesday night, the air quality index in parts of the capital exceeded 700.
This is near a record high.
A large area of polluted air has settled down in most parts of China and will last for several days.
Main sources of pollution
In fact, the world's worst pollution cluster
Hebei province is an industrial center around Beijing.
As China tries to keep its economy growing, steel and cement plants consume a lot of coal.
The air filter in my house exploded, but the air quality monitor said I should wear a mask even indoors.
I usually relax with air pollution.
Probably too relaxed.
But it started to bother me.
My wife and daughter fell asleep upstairs and I could feel the contamination of my lungs.
I have a headache.
It's worse outside.
On a night like this, you really feel like you're living in a dystopian nightmare.
On Wednesday morning, the sky outside my house seemed a little blue.
I hope to play football tonight, but we will cancel the game if AQI is over 300.
To cover my base, I went to work with my football gear and mask.
But when I was driving to work, you could hardly see the tower in the haze.
Not very good looking.
Over time, my foreign journalist friend in Beijing sounded annoyed.
In the Financial Times, Tom Mitchell tweeted that for the first time a contact suggested meeting at home rather than at a restaurant.
Contacts are worried that there may be no air filters in the restaurant.
Joanna Chiu of Dpa reports that many air purifiers are out of stock, but she and her cat are safe in three machines at home.
Nathan VanderKlippe of Globe mail was frustrated: for his twin boys, it should have been back to school the next day, but the course was canceled due to smog. (
It will also be canceled the next day. )
He ironically pointed out that the year had "a huge start.
CNN National Security Correspondent Jim Sciutto posted on Twitter the image of the city seen in the air as "extraordinary.
It was pointed out that the buildings looked like headstones.
Some people wear masks on the street, but many do not. Middle-
Beijingers say they have air purifiers at home, but they complain to us that smog prevents them from exercising, jogging or cycling outdoors.
Oneman said he was worried about his elderly parents and told them not to go shopping at the grocery store.
Amother says her children have been trapped indoors for more than a week and they are unhappy.
The situation is worse for the poorer people in society.
A woman selling toys on the street said the smog had depressed her business, but she had no choice but to be outside.
A street cleaner said the masks distributed by his work unit were helpful.
Without it, he will have a sore throat at the end of the day. It's 5 p. m.
AQI is still above 300.
The football was canceled, which frustrated me.
Instead, I made a revised plan on Sunday morning --
If the smog clears then
This report was jointly contributed by Jin Xin and Lin Luna.
Videos of smoke billowing by Chase Pope.