Air pollution readings in Beijing have been at dangerous levels for the past few days. The capital has been choking in smoggy and hazy weather for four consecutive days. The thick smog has also raised people's concern about the impact the pollution will have on their health.

Li Shuang's daughter got the flu over the weekend. She is waiting to see a doctor at the Beijing Children's Hospital. But Li is worried that the smog will make the toddler's illness even worse.

Li said, "Beijing has been covered by the hazy weather for quite a while. The media is constantly talking about the air pollution. I tried not to take my daughter outdoors, to avoid the pollution. But she got ill so I have to take her to the doctor."

As the air quality worsens, Beijing Children's Hospital has seen rising numbers of respiratory patients over the past weekend. At the infusion room, infants and toddlers are getting treatment, with anxious parents waiting at their side.

Xu Baoping, deputy chief of Respirology in Beijing Children's Hospital, said, "Winter is the peak season for respiratory diseases. So we cannot say that air pollution is the direct cause for the high incidence. But the chemicals and dusts in the air will definitely help infections spread. So children and elders will get infected easier."

Beijing's air quality readings have been at dangerous levels for several days. The local government issued an orange level fog alert for the first time.

During the weekend, the readings for airborne particles measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter, known as PM2.5, reached more than 700 micrograms per cubic meter at several monitoring stations. The World Health Organization recommends a level of 25 to be safe.

Li Yunting, senior engineer at Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center, said, "According to the national air quality index, the air quality readings from 35 monitoring stations across Beijing have all reached a hazardous level during the past few days."

PM2.5 particles are small enough to penetrate human lung tissue, causing severe health problems. The government advises children and the elderly to avoid outdoor activities if possible. Many schools have also cancelled outdoor physical classes. The Environmental Protection Monitoring Center said that a gust of cold air is expected to sweep Beijing on Tuesday night, clearing the fog and haze by Wednesday.

(CNTV.cn January 14, 2013)