This summer, U.S. cyclists arrived at the Beijing Olympics
wearing masks issued by the United States Olympic Committee to
protect them from China’s infamously bad air quality. They later
apologized, realizing it was in bad taste. Leading up to the
games, Beijing authorities took serious measures to decrease air
pollution, such as relocating a major steel manufacturer and
reducing automobile traffic. But recently all those efforts went
out the window. During this year’s Chinese New Year celebration
the insane amount of fireworks sent Beijing’s air pollution
soaring! It all started when errant fireworks struck the
Television Cultural Center setting in ablaze. Firefighters and
military units raced to the scene to battle the fire with some
actually carrying plastic washbasins and hand-towels to shield
themselves from the smoke. Sadly, the building was totally
burned up and all the smoke and the fireworks caused a three day
plummet of air quality. Government figures show a sharp increase
in Beijing air pollution o