Beijing Chokes on Hazardous Smog as China Puts a Price on Fresh Air

Hazardous smog covered Beijing on Tuesday, reducing visibility to less than 200 yards in parts of the Chinese capital. The toxic mixture of chemicals forced the cancellation of airline flights and the closure of highways. In fact, at 8 p.m. local time the air quality had been considered to be at hazardous levels for the past 24 hours. That meant that everyone was advised to avoid physical activity outdoors, while those with heart or lung disease, older adults and children were advised to remain indoors and keep activity levels low.

Yet while the smog levels rise, a new business has emerged. Chen Guangbiao, an entrepreneur worth $740 million, is selling cans of fresh air. New reports say that these cans come in several different "flavors," including "pristine Tibet, post-industrial Taiwan and revolutionary Yan'an." The air itself is not compressed and is instead put into pull-tag cans with a chip on each side. Employees wave their hands three times to "push" the air into the can before the cap closes automatically.

While the effectiveness of these fresh air samples is dubious at best, it does show that the fear of Beijing's air quality has risen to an all-time high. According to the BBC, Beijing has reported air quality readings that show pollutants that are present at 20 times the recommended limits.

This latest blanket of polluted air is the fourth to menace the area since the beginning of the year. It began to cover eastern China on Monday, and continues to thicken. According to CNN, some citizens have abandoned regular face masks and have donned gas masks and respirators when walking outside.

Fortunately, Beijing citizens may not have to deal with this latest bout of smog much longer. Chinese weather authorities have reported that snow and rain may move into the region on Wednesday night, clearing out the polluted air.