Revised Chinese pollution results may not be known until 2016

China will start recording smaller particles, PM 2.5, after seeing its major cities shrouded in acrid smog, forcing people to wear masks or even stay indoors, it has been reported by Reuters.

Official reports from Beijing show that air pollution is only 'slight', however, US reports using PM 2.5 have shown air quality so poor it is off the scale.

Chinese cities currently do not measure and disclose data on the smaller particles from smokestacks and exhaust pipes that float in the air, disclosing readings of pollutant particles that are ten micrometers in diameter or larger.

They have committed to using PM 2.5 in large cities and nationally by 2015, but many commentators believe this is too long to wait for the results.

Beijing residents have complained that the Chinese government is 'greatly underestimating the problem', trusting US figures above the 'official' national ones. PM 2.5 particles can settle in the lungs more easily and cause respiratory problems and other illnesses.