In Pictures: Pollution in Beijing

The air quality in Beijing is rated as (***)hazardous(***) according to air pollution readings by monitors at the US embassy in the city

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

Greenpeace has called the recordings of the heavy pollution in Beijing over the weekend as (***)the worst on record(***)

The Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Centre advised people to avoid going outdoors

The airborne particles in Beijing are small enough to deeply penetrate the lungs, forcing residents to wear facemasks for protection

Many people have taken to voicing their concerns online - with some describing the air as post-apocalyptic and beyond belief

Record levels of smog have descended over China(***)s capital, Beijing. Residents are being advised to stay inside, as the pollution is so bad.

Pollution from factories and the consumption of coal for winter are also being blamed for contributing to the pollution

The cities of Tianjain, east of Beijing and Wuhan City in the south have also reported severe pollution

Residents have been advised to use public transportation in order to reduce pollution created by automobile emissions

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