Mist cannon among tools used to fight heavy smog

Heavy smog that has been covering many cities in northern China has caused some authorities to bring out pollution-fighting artillery.

The mist cannon, which is not well-known but gaining popularity, is a large machine mounted on a truck that sprays water mist.

They were initially used at construction sites and mines to reduce dust. But engineers have improved the machines to make them release tinier droplets of mist for combating fine airborne particles, said Xu Yuexin, an engineer with Beijing Capital Group Boom-sound Environment Science & Technology Co Ltd, which provides the mist cannon service in parts of the capital.