Hong Kong, Taiwan suffer from worst China sandstorms in 25 years
HONG KONG
Mon Mar 22, 2010 10:38am EDT (Reuters) – Hong Kong’s harbor was cloaked in thick smog on Monday as air pollution soared to record levels ahead of the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament this weekend, the city’s premier sporting event. Taiwan, too, was hit by what are being called the worst sandstorms in 25 years, though particulate levels had declined on Monday and there were no findings of airborne toxins. Sandstorms from northern China were mostly blamed, with a second dust storm hitting Beijing on Monday, though state media said it was not as severe as Saturday’s, which blanketed the city with a layer of fine dust and turned the sky orange. The official Xinhua news agency said the sand, carried by strong winds, had also affected Inner Mongolia, as well as Shanxi and Hebei provinces. Hong Kong’s environmental protection department said local air pollution indices soared to levels of around 500, smashing the previous record of 202 recorded in July 2008. A reading above 51 is considered high. People with heart and lung diseases were urged to avoid outdoor activities amid what were described as “severe” readings. …
