Polluters continue operations despite smog

China's environment protection authority found some enterprises had failed to initiate emergency response plans to coping with the current heavy pollution.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection dispatched 12 teams to areas around Beijing to ensure emergency plans were in place.

Some polluting enterprises, including a stone processing factory and several clothing workshops, continued to operate on Tuesday after a red alert, the highest level, was issued in the morning. A red alert means suspension of classes, construction work and limited use of cars.

A car paint workshop in downtown Beijing was sealed up on Tuesday by the city's environment protection agency after it received reports of its illegal operation from the public.

In neighboring Hebei Province, the environment protection authority detected a dozen coal-burning enterprises operating illegally.

Inspection teams discovered that nonpoint source air pollution, such as road and construction site dust, remained severe in central China's Henan Province and eastern province of Shandong.

Several cities in Henan were reported for failing to react according to the emergency response plan and several construction sites were still in operation in Shandong.

Environment Minister Chen Jining vowed on Sunday to punish agencies or personnel who fail to initiate emergency response plans in a timely manner as heavy smog is predicted to last till Wednesday. Endi