Heavy smog in Beijing is affecting the health of residents of the city as well as te city's economy output. Currently, Beijing is under an 'orange alert' along with other cities in northern China.

Experts say smog levels are higher than they were last year. Health experts have warned that such levels of air pollution can give rise to infectious air borne diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, chickenpox, influenza, measles, smallpox, cryptococcosis, and tuberculosis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that smog levels have reached 24 times the level that is considered safe for humans. Experts say the concentration of PM 2.5 may further increase to 600 micrograms per cubic metre.

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Meanwhile, the US embassy in Beijing has reported an increase of te concentration of air pollutants per per cubic metre.

Following the announcement of the orange smog alert, authorities in Beijing have instructed industrial plants to decrease the use of heavy materials that can trigger further pollution. Construction sites have also been ordered to stop using heavy trucks.

The smog is so thick in Beijing that pedestrians on the street can be hardly seen. Locals have reportedly complained about the foul smell of the air.

Authorities in Beijing have released an advisory suspending schools and other outdoor activities due to the possible health risks.

TagsBBC, smog level, WHO, orange alert smog level, Environmental destruction, airborne diseases, asthma, Bronchitis, chickenpox, influenza, measles, Smallpox, cryptococcosis, Tuberculosis, 2.5, 600 micrograms per cubic metre, face mask, China Air Pollution