CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION(01 of19)
Open Image ModalA tourist stands at the top of Jingshan Hill beside the Forbidden City as heavy air pollution continues to shroud Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5, small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, stood at 501 micrograms per cubic metre. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION(02 of19)
Open Image ModalPeople visit the Forbidden City as heavy air pollution continues to shroud Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5, small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, stood at 501 micrograms per cubic metre. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION(03 of19)
Open Image ModalChinese tourists wear face masks while walking past the Forbidden City as heavy air pollution continues to shroud Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5, small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, stood at 501 micrograms per cubic metre. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Beijing Enveloped In Heavy Smog(04 of19)
Open Image ModalBEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 26: A LED screen shows the Chinese word 'China Dream' in Tiananmen Square during dangerous levels of air pollution on February 26, 2014 in Beijing, China. The air pollution has caused an increase in the number of people seeking hospital treatment for respiratory problems and the public are asked to avoid outdoor activities. A strong cold front is expected to arrive on Thursday and disperse the smog. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Beijing Enveloped In Heavy Smog(05 of19)
Open Image ModalBEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 26: A LED screen shows the blue sky in Tiananmen Square during dangerous levels of air pollution on February 26, 2014 in Beijing, China. The air pollution has caused an increase in the number of people seeking hospital treatment for respiratory problems and the public are asked to avoid outdoor activities. A strong cold front is expected to arrive on Thursday and disperse the smog. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION(06 of19)
Open Image ModalChinese tourists wearing face masks visit Tiananmen Square as heavy air pollution continues to shroud Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5, small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, stood at 501 micrograms per cubic metre. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION(07 of19)
Open Image ModalView of the Forbidden City as heavy air pollution continues to shroud Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5, small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, stood at 501 micrograms per cubic metre. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION(08 of19)
Open Image ModalA Chinese tourist wears a face mask in Tiananmen Square as heavy air pollution continues to shroud Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5, small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, stood at 501 micrograms per cubic metre. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION-HEALTH-BUSINESS(09 of19)
Open Image ModalA Chinese couple watches as workers (C) clean the glass roof of the China National Theatre on a smoggy day in Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5 -- small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths -- stood at 486 micrograms per cubic metre on February 26. The World Health Organization's recommended safe limit is 25. AFP PHOTO/GOH CHAI HIN (Photo credit should read GOH CHAI HIN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION(10 of19)
Open Image ModalChinese tourists wearing face masks visit Tiananmen Square as heavy air pollution continues to shroud Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5, small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, stood at 501 micrograms per cubic metre. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION(11 of19)
Open Image ModalA cellphone shows the US Embassy pollution index reading of 551, which is extremely hazardous, and the Chinese government reading of 484, as heavy air pollution continues to shroud Beijing on February 26, 2014. China's cities are often hit by heavy pollution, blamed on coal-burning by power stations and industry, as well as vehicle use, and it has become a major source of discontent with the ruling Communist Party. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION-HEALTH-BUSINESS(12 of19)
Open Image ModalA Chinese policeman wears a mask as he stands on a street beside Tiananmen Square in Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5 -- small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths -- stood at 486 micrograms per cubic metre on February 26. The World Health Organization's recommended safe limit is 25. AFP PHOTO/GOH CHAI HIN (Photo credit should read GOH CHAI HIN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION-HEALTH-BUSINESS(13 of19)
Open Image ModalA Chinese woman wears a mask while standing in front of the China National Theatre on a smoggy day in Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5 -- small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths -- stood at 486 micrograms per cubic metre on February 26. The World Health Organization's recommended safe limit is 25. AFP PHOTO/GOH CHAI HIN (Photo credit should read GOH CHAI HIN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION(14 of19)
Open Image ModalTourists wear face masks as they climb Jingshan Hill beside the Forbidden City as heavy air pollution continues to shroud Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5, small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, stood at 501 micrograms per cubic metre. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION(15 of19)
Open Image ModalA Chinese tourists takes a photo while wearing a face mask in Tiananmen Square as heavy air pollution continues to shroud Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5, small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, stood at 501 micrograms per cubic metre. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION(16 of19)
Open Image ModalChinese tourists wearing face masks visit Tiananmen Square as heavy air pollution continues to shroud Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5, small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, stood at 501 micrograms per cubic metre. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION(17 of19)
Open Image ModalTourists look out over the Forbidden City from Jingshan Hill as heavy air pollution continues to shroud Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5, small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, stood at 501 micrograms per cubic metre. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION(18 of19)
Open Image ModalA tourist wearing a face mask climbs Jingshan Hill beside the Forbidden City as heavy air pollution continues to shroud Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5, small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, stood at 501 micrograms per cubic metre. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION(19 of19)
Open Image ModalTourists wear face masks as they climb Jingshan Hill beside the Forbidden City as heavy air pollution continues to shroud Beijing on February 26, 2014. Beijing's official reading for PM 2.5, small airborne particles which easily penetrate the lungs and have been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, stood at 501 micrograms per cubic metre. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)