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Download For many Nanjing residents, the closure of the city's schools, expressways, ferries and airport on Thursday because of heavy smog was just as irritating as the pollution. The city issued its first-ever red alert for poor air quality, due mainly to high levels of harmful particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less in diameter - known as PM2.5. According to Nanjing regulations, a red alert is issued when readings of PM2.5 exceed an Air Quality Index measure of 300 for 12 hours in a row, and when visibility is less than 1 kilometer. The air quality index on Thursday was above 330 for the entire day and it is not expected to improve until Sunday, said the city's environmental protection bureau. Schools will also be closed on Friday. Aside from the pollution, parents in Nanjing are complaining about the late notice given by the environmental protection bureau for the red alert on Wednesday evening. The city's education bureau ordered kindergartens and primary and middle schools to suspend classes on Thursday. Qi Guangyun, father of an 8-year-old boy, said that he did not hear about the suspension of classes until 8 pm on Wednesday. "It was too late for me to ask for leave (from work)," he said. "I had an important meeting with clients coming from Shanghai on Thursday morning. My wife is on a business trip and won't come back until Friday." Despite the closure, Qi sent his son to school and asked teachers to take care of him for the day. A few of the boy's classmates also went to school because their parents were unable to take the day off. | 
