The government's Air Quality Index shows "unhealthy" pollution levels in much of Southern California.

CNN: Smoke a serious health threat as wildfires spread

An unofficial reading from the US embassy's air quality index recorded over 500 early in the morning, but changed to 168 as of 13:00 (05:00 GMT).

BBC: Smog and sandstorm engulf China's capital

Its report grades cities using, in part, the EPA's color-coded Air Quality Index, as well as its own weighting system that ranks the severity of pollution on a daily basis.

FORBES: Life

While air pollution has remained a nagging problem since then, Beijingers have learned to live with the situation, and there have been enough blue sky days in the capital city to keep the Air Quality Index (AQI) out of the news until last week that is.

FORBES: Air Quality In China

The Environmental Protection Agency, together with other federal, state, local, and tribal agencies, developed AIRNow.gov, offering the public daily Air Quality Index forecasts and real-time Air Quality Index conditions for over 300 cities across the country as well as links to detailed state and local air quality cites.

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