Environment
These Pictures Capture Just How Horrifying China's Smog Situation Is Right Now
Cold weather brought brutal levels of air pollution to the country's north.
Here's a glimpse at just how bad pollution-related smog has gotten in Harbin, China: The city has closed schools, bus routes, and even the airport. Local hospitals are swamped with patients complaining of breathing problems.
According to Reuters, an index measuring PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers) reached 1,000 in some parts of the city Monday. Anything over 300 is considered hazardous, and the World Health Organization recommends a daily level no higher than 20.