Less New Year fireworks in badly polluted Beijing
BEIJING — The annual Lunar New Year fireworks barrage in Beijing was muted Sunday following government appeals to reduce the smoky celebrations after air pollution rose to near catastrophic levels over recent weeks.
The fusillades that began on Lunar New Year’s eve on Saturday night started later than usual but still grew to furious intensity at midnight. They also died out earlier than usual on Sunday morning, and relatively few explosions were heard during the day.
Setting off fireworks to celebrate renewal and ward off evil spirits is a traditional part of the celebration that marks China’s most important family holiday. Sales of fireworks from Tuesday to Saturday fell 37 percent over the same period last year, from 410,000 car- tons to just 260,000, the official Xinhua News Agency reported, citing figures from the city government.
The Beijing Daily, the city government’s official newspaper, carried appeals last week for residents to hold off on fireworks celebrations, saying not doing so would significantly worsen dangerous pollution levels. Last month, Beijing experienced 23 days of smog, up from 10 the previous January.
Beijing was largely helpless in the face of the January smog, while schools canceled outdoor activities, some factories closed and government cars were ordered off the streets. Scores of people, especially the young and elderly, were treated at hospitals for respiratory problems, elevated blood pressure and heart complaints.
The holiday will continue through the week, with government and businesses shut down.