Pollution gets worse in N. China

Start of heating season adds to problem; no relief until Friday

Air pollution is worsening in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei province region and nearby areas and is expected to linger until Friday due to unfavorable meteorological conditions for dispersal, authorities said.

Anyang, Henan province - listed as one of the 28 major cities in the region for coordinated action on air pollution control - was the first to see its hourly density of PM 2.5, a major air pollutant, reach heavy pollution level early on Monday. The heavy pollution has gradually been extending to the north, the China National Environmental Monitoring Center said in a statement on Tuesday.