HOW HWEE YOUNG/EPA
Dense smog has shrouded Beijing, China's capital with pollution at hazardous levels since Thursday
HOW HWEE YOUNG/EPA
The air quality in Beijing is rated as 'hazardous' according to air pollution readings by monitors at the US embassy in the city
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Air quality is hazardous when readings on the index hit between 300 and 500. But levels have gone off the index with reported readings above 700
HOW HWEE YOUNG/EPA
Greenpeace has called the recordings of the heavy pollution in Beijing over the weekend as 'the worst on record'
ED JONES/AFP/Getty Images
The Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Centre advised people to avoid going outdoors
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The airborne particles in Beijing are small enough to deeply penetrate the lungs, forcing residents to wear facemasks for protection
/REUTERS
Many people have taken to voicing their concerns online - with some describing the air as post-apocalyptic and beyond belief
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The severe conditions are being blamed on increased traffic on the roads
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Pollution from factories and the consumption of coal for winter are also being blamed for contributing to the pollution
/REUTERS
The cities of Tianjain, east of Beijing and Wuhan City in the south have also reported severe pollution
Alexander F. Yuan/AP
Residents have been advised to use public transportation in order to reduce pollution created by automobile emissions
/REUTERS
The conditions are reportedly likely to last until Tuesday due to the pollution not being able to disperse as it is trapped in area of low pressure