Pollution expected to engulf the capital

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is expected to see heavy air pollution for a week, starting on Friday, because of unfavorable conditions for the dispersal of pollutants, according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

The concentration of PM2.5 will climb to 200 micrograms per cubic meter or higher in central and southern parts of the region, it said.

The capital is likely to see moderate to heavy air pollution through Thursday. Some areas in Shanxi, Shandong and Henan provinces will also be affected, it said.