Why Pollution in Beijing Will Persist
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On Friday, Jan. 18, the thick pall of pollution that blanketed Beijing earlier in the week returned, raising readings to hazardous levels.
Why is Beijing susceptible to these episodes? First, and uncontrollable by the authorities, are the peculiarities of Beijing’s geography. In particular, the capital is surrounded by mountain ranges that lead to the unfortunate phenomenon of an inversion layer—cold air settles on top of a warmer air mass, trapping the pollutants inside. This is the same problem that bedevils Los Angeles.