Debate flares as smog lingers

Alert levels around the area

Beijing: Red alert

Efforts: Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau has dispatched inspection teams to check whether outdoor construction sites have ceased operations. Use of private cars will be limited to alternate days, depending on license plate numbers. Primary and secondary schools are closed.

Tianjin: Orange alert

Efforts: Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau dispatched 10 teams totaling more than 120 inspectors to supervise the implementation of emergency measures at midnight on Monday. Names of violating enterprises will be posted on the bureau website.

Shanxi province:

Taiyuan: Yellow alert

Efforts: Provincial Environmental Protection Bureau will increase inspections while the alert is active.

Shandong province:

Jinan, Zibo, Tai'an, Dezhou, Liaocheng, Heze: Yellow alert Linyi: Blue alert

Efforts: Zibo environmental protection bureau sent out four teams on Monday to check whether factories violated emission standards.

Hebei province:

Langfang, Xingtai, Hengshui: Orange alert

Shijiazhuang, Handan, Dingzhou, Xinji: Red alert

Efforts: Langfang: City buses are free for residents while the alert is active.

Langfang and Hengshui: Use of private cars will be limited to alternate days, depending on license plate numbers, although neither city has issued red alert.

Henan province:

Zhengzhou, Kaifeng, Luoyang, Pingdingshan, Anyang, Hebi, Xinxiang, Jiaozuo, Puyang, Xuchang, Sanmenxia, Zhumadian, Jiyuan: Orange alert

Efforts: All 10 heavy industries being inspected on Tuesday in Zhengzhou stopped production following emergency measures. Sweeping of roads must be increased, according to the provincial Environmental Protection Bureau.

Source: The real-time air quality website of China National Environmental Monitoring Center