Beijing smog is mainly caused by industrial pollution.
Primary sources of pollutants include exhaust emission from Beijing's more than five million motor vehicles, coal burning in neighbouring regions, dust storms from the north and local construction dust.
Health experts say that the current smog levels are not necessarily due to an increase in pollutant particles, more a lack of wind in dispersing the haze.
The China Daily said there are also not enough 'green areas' in the city 'to help soak up the fumes discharged by vehicles and industries'.
There has also been rapid industrialisation in China and a heavy reliance on coal power, which have both contributed to the problem.
Chinese scientists have warned that the country's toxic air pollution is now so bad that it resembles a nuclear winter, slowing photosynthesis in plants – and potentially wreaking havoc on the country's food supply.
The worsening air pollution has already exacted a significant economic toll, grounding flights, closing highways and keeping tourists at home. On Monday 11,200 people visited Beijing's Forbidden City, about a quarter of the site's average daily draw.
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