Air pollution in China's 74 major cities in the first half of the year exceeded three times the levels recommended by the World Health Organization. Beijing, the northern metropolis of Tianjin, and the province of Hebei are hit hardest by the air pollution. The average concentration of PM2.5 particulates in 74 cities surveyed by China's Ministry of Environmental Protection was 76 micrograms per cubic meter in the first six months, the agency said in a statement today. This is three times more than WHO's recommendation of 25 micrograms per cubic meter for day-long exposure.
