Beijing warns residents after off-the-charts smog

BEIJING (AP) - Beijing schools canceled outdoor flag-raisings and took sports classes indoors while hospitals saw a spike in respiratory cases on Monday because of the extremely hazardous air in China's notoriously smoggy capital following a weekend of off-the charts pollution.

City authorities ordered many factories to scale back emissions, and were spraying water at building sites to try to tamp down the dust and dirt that worsens the noxious haze that has hung over the city since late last week.

Demand spiked for face masks and air purifiers, and hospitals saw surges of up to 30 per cent in residents seeking help for breathing problems, state-run media outlets reported.

Schools in several districts were ordered to cancel outdoor activities, and in an unusual public announcement, Beijing authorities advised all residents to ''take measures to protect their health."