Yan Jianguo, vice mayor of Linfen city in northwest China’s Shanxi province, on Tuesday apologized to the public for the continuous heavy pollution and delay in reports on sulphur dioxide levels, which had exceeded acceptable standards on Monday.  

According to the city’s environmental protection agency, the latest sulphur dioxide levels in the city had hit a peak of 1,303mcg.

The city’s municipal government on Monday held a forum focusing on measures and prevention on alleviating smog. During the forum, officials reaffirmed three major reasons for the cause of sulphur dioxide exceeding the standard. First, coal burning by residents, the sulphur dioxide emission of which accounted for 70% of the total; Second, industrial sulphur dioxide emissions from coal-burning industry; Third, the special topography that aggravates the dispersion of sulphur dioxide.

However, the forum did not settle people’s concerns, and the atmospheric experts continue to question the agency’s measures and action taken.