Beijing’s environmental watchdog said it would change how it calculates ‘red alert’ warnings for smog in the city.
Several weeks after Beijing issued its first ever red alerts, a new system will be implemented.
Citing the Beijing environmental protection bureau, Xinhua News reports a new daily average air quality index (AQI) of 500 is required for a red alert.
In addition 300 for two days in a row or 200 for four days will also trigger the highest alert.
Currently a red alert is issued when the AQI is expected to reach 200 for two days at least.
US authorities classify a 200 as ‘very unhealthy.’
The new thresholds will take effect in March, the report said.
When Beijing’s first red alert was issued in December, schools were closed and outdoor construction work suspended because of the dense smog.
Beijing said it will add several more air monitoring stations throughout the city.
Last month the city said it would start closing down more than 2000 small firms known as heavy polluters.
