Beijing shuts all building sites and more factories to clear the smog

· Drastic steps to protect games as air quality falls · Officials pin hopes on cleansing rainstorms
Jonathan Watts in Beijing
The Guardian,
Tuesday July 29 2008

Beijing's Olympic organisers are planning new emergency measures to reduce pollution after the draconian steps introduced a week ago failed to stop a grimy haze from smothering the host city.
Air quality has failed to reach national standards for four of the seven days since the city took more than 1m cars off the roads and shut hundreds of factories.
With less than two weeks until the opening ceremony, organisers are planning more drastic steps to ensure that the "Greyjing" tag does not undermine the promise of a green Olympics and force endurance events such as the marathon, triathlon and 10km open-water swim to be postponed.
According to the China Daily, all building sites and more factories in and around Beijing may be temporarily closed if the air quality deteriorates during the games.
Further traffic restrictions could also be imposed. Controls currently allow vehicles on the roads on alternate days according to their number plates. The measures have been extended to neighbouring Tianjin.
"We will implement an emergency plan 48 hours in advance if the air quality deteriorates during the August 8-24 games," Li Xin, of the Beijing environmental protection bureau, was quoted as saying.
After a few days of clear skies following the recent traffic controls, air pollution has built up amid heavy humidity and a lack of wind.
According to the Beijing authorities, the amount of particulate matter in the air did not reach the national benchmark of 100mg a cubic metre for the past four days. Today, it rose to 113, more than double the far tougher standard of 50 set by the World Health Organisation.
This does not include ground-level ozone, which is not measured in China even though high levels can be hazardous to the respiratory system during humid summer weather.
The data highlights a typically Chinese phenomenon: compared to the past, the situation is much better. But set against international standards, the country is lagging by some distance. Beijing is proud of the environmental gains of recent years. Millions of coal-burning homes have been converted to gas and production at the biggest iron company has been cut by 73%. More than 2,000 buses and 5,000 taxis are being upgraded or replaced with cleaner models, and five new urban railways have been added to the public transport system.
Environmental groups applauded the measures, but said they were unlikely to satisfy global expectations.
"Despite the efforts of the government, Beijing air quality probably is still not what the world is expecting from an Olympic city," said Greenpeace campaign director Lo Szeping. "The athletes will be breathing 150 litres of air per minute ... So for athletes this is a particular concern."
The organisers are seeking solace from the heavens. A storm front is heading towards Beijing, with a 90% chance of rain. "This is a blessing. It could not happen at a better time.
"Help from Mother Nature is very welcome," said Jeff Ruffolo, a spokesman for the Olympic organisers. "We haven't had a good rainstorm for a couple of weeks. We could do with some of that right now."
Scattered thunder showers are forecast to last until at least Wednesday next week. If the rain persists, it could affect the opening ceremony two days later, which is due to include a spectacular firework display.
The government scrapped plans to build a roof on the stadium. According to the organisers, there is a 50-50 chance of rain on August 8, the opening day.