Pollution in China

The media joined internet users in calling for a re-evaluation of China's modernization process, which has seen rapid urbanization and dramatic economic development at the expense of the environment. Media blamed low winds, saying fog had mixed with pollutants from vehicles and factories and had been trapped by mountains north and west of Beijing. Coal burning in winter was also a factor, they added. In an editorial on Monday the state-run Global Times called for more transparent figures on pollution and urged the government to change its "previous method of covering up the problems and instead publish the facts".

Pollution in China has reached dangerously high levels in recent days. Dozens of cities are affected by thick smog and haze, 40 times the limit deemed safe by the World Health Organization (WHO).

More than 100 million citizens have been affected; from Beijing to Guiyang, factories have been asked to close and people are being urged to stay indoors. Public anger has boiled over. Even government supporters, including state-controlled media, are urging the authorities to take action.

Smog is covering Beijing for a third day at dangerous levels. Haze is expected to remain over Beijing until Wednesday .Visibility is around 100 meters in some areas. Official readings of pollution in Beijing on Saturday were over 700 mcg per cubic meter of particles. Levels dropped to 350 on Monday but still above safe levels of 25 mcg. Children and elderly advised to stay indoors when levels at 300 mcg. Chinese are taking to social media sites to vent anger at authorities.16 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in China. 760,000 people die in China every year because of pollution. Cancer is nation's biggest killer and rate has surged since the 1990s. Cancer caused one in five deaths in 2007 up 80 percent on the previous 30 years