Editor's Note

Toxic organic compounds were discovered in the smog that blanketed the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area for almost all of January, according to the Beijing Times.

Nitrogen-enriched organic particulate matter, the same toxin responsible for 800 deaths in Los Angeles smog in 1943, was detected during research conducted by Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Causes & Origins

Organic Pollutants

 

Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Similar Events

London smog
Time: December 1952 Location: London, UK Deaths: upwards of 12,000, according to recent recalculations Reason: widespread use of poor quality coal with high sulfur content Result: The Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968
Los Angeles photochemical smog
Time: 1943 Location: Los Angeles, US Deaths: over 800 Reason: automobile emissions Result: Los Angeles set up the first local air pollution department and started issuing emissions permits.

Source: Agencies

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