北京現最嚴重霧霾天 發佈今年首個霾橙色預警
The authorities in the Chinese capital, Beijing, have issued their highest smog warning so far this year. The "orange level" alert declared on Sunday is the second highest possible, requiring factories to cut production.
中國首都北京的專家們，已經發布了迄今爲止最高的霧霾警報。週日公佈的“橙色級”警報是二級警報，並且有關部門還要求工廠減少生產。Air pollution is a chronic health-risk for those living and working in the capital and other major Chinese cities. Some reports suggest that visibility has fallen to a few hundred metres in some places.
空氣污染對於在首都和其他主要城市生活和工作的人來說，是一種慢性健康風險。有報道指出，在一些地方，能見度已經下降到幾百米。
At noon on Sunday, the air pollution monitor operated by the US Embassy in Beijing reported that the intensity of the poisonous, tiny particles of PM 2.5 reached more than 400 micrograms per cubic metre in some of the worst-affected areas. The World Health Organization considers 25 micrograms per cubic metre to be a safe level.
週日中午，美國駐北京大使館操作的空氣污染監測儀顯示，在一些受影響最嚴重的地區，可吸入顆粒物，即PM2.5，每立方米超過了400微克。而世界衛生組織認爲安全範圍是每立方米25微克。
Coal-powered industries and heating systems, as well as dust from construction sites, all contribute to the smog which has been exacerbated by humidity and a lack of wind.
煤炭工業和供熱系統，以及建築工地的灰塵，都會因溼度和風力減小而加劇霧霾的形成。Air pollution is a perennial problem in China's northeast which is home to many heavy industries including coal mining. Earlier this month, China's state media and many residents criticised high pollution levels in the north-eastern city of Shenyang.
對於以煤礦爲主能源的東北重工業基地，污染是個永恆的問題。本月早期，中國官方媒體和許多居民批評了中國東北城市瀋陽的重度污染。The People's Daily said PM 2.5 levels exceeded 1,400 micrograms per cubic metre. Activists said that may have been the "worst ever" air quality seen in the country.
人民日報稱，瀋陽的可吸入顆粒物，即PM2.5，達到了1400毫克每立方米。部分激進人士甚至表示，這是全國“最差”的空氣質量了。Earlier this year China's environment ministry announced that only eight out of the country's 74 biggest cities had passed the government's basic air quality standards in 2014. Most of the cities found to have the worst air were in the northeast.
今年早期，中國環境部宣佈，2014年，在中國的74個大城市中，僅有8個達到了政府規定的基本空氣質量標準。空氣污染最嚴重的城市大多數都位於中國東北部。China is attempting to cut pollution but still relies heavily on coal for its energy and industrial needs.
中國正在努力減少污染，但是目前仍然依靠煤作爲主要工業能源。
