Air above China dirtier than ever measured

A thick layer of toxic smog hangs over northeast China.

Air pollution is a source of annoyance for many Chinese. Although the government regularly promises to do something about the dirty emissions the country is often covered by a layer of smog.

The amount of particulate matter per cubic meter was Sunday, 1157 micrograms in Shenyang City and, according to the Chinese news agency Xinhua in some places in the city even 1400. According to the WHO remains a safe level of particulate emissions below 25 micrograms per cubic meter.

Visibility in Shenyang is less than 100 meters, reported the state television CCTV.

" The main reason for pollution is the burning of coal, which is necessary for the district heating ", said Dong Liansai of environmental organization Greenpeace. " China, the amount of coal the country consumes under control. "