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1 of 9Tiananmen Square in Beijing is seen on Dec. 1, 2015, and a day later.Kevin Frayer—Getty Images -
2 of 9Visitors pose for photographs in front of the Tiananmen Gate and the giant portrait of Mao Zedong on a smoggy day on Dec. 1, and a day later.Damir Sagolj—Reuters -
3 of 9Visitors take pictures at the top of the Jingshan Park overseeing the Forbidden City on a smoggy day on Dec. 1, and a day later.Damir Sagolj—Reuters -
4 of 9The Forbidden City is seen in heavy pollution, on Dec. 1 and a day later.Kevin Frayer—Getty Images -
5 of 9A visitor using binoculars to see the city of Beijing at a viewing deck on the China Central Radio and Television Tower on a smoggy day on Dec. 1, and a day later.Kim Kyung-Hoon—Reuters; Jason Lee—Reuters -
6 of 9A morning commuter walking in front of the China Central Television building on a smoggy day on Dec. 1, and a day later.Damir Sagolj—Reuters -
7 of 9Visitors standing next to a paramilitary policeman as they visit the Tiananmen Square on a smoggy day on Dec. 1, and a day later.Damir Sagolj—Reuters -
8 of 9The Forbidden City is seen in heavy pollution on Dec. 1, and a day later.Kevin Frayer—Getty Images -
9 of 9The portrait of Chinese late chairman Mao Zedong seen on the Tiananmen gate on Dec. 1, and a day later.Kim Kyung-Hoon—Reuters; Damir Sagolj—Reuters
As 150 world leaders meet in Paris to produce a landmark agreement that would set targets on reducing carbon emissions – and limit the rise of global temperatures – parts of China, including its capital, Beijing, recorded the worst smog of 2015.
On Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, some of the country’s air quality devices were unable to read such high level of pollutants, notes photographer Kevin Frayer who produced a series of before and after images showing the smog’s visual impact. In one scene, the mausoleum at Tiananmen Square completely disappears in the pollution as tourists wear surgical masks to protect themselves.
In Beijing, levels of fine particulate matters, considered the most hazardous, crossed 600 units, nearly 25 times the acceptable standard set by the World Health Organization.
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