SHANGHAI is working on establishing a five-day smog forecasting system to give citizens earlier warnings of air pollution, the environment authority said yesterday.

Residents are currently told of the expected air quality index and threats from major pollutants 48 hours in advance, while the meteorological bureau provides 7-day weather forecasts.

“We are working on a five-day, even a seven-day, smog forecast system, which will be introduced when the accuracy of the forecast is improved,” said Zhang Quan, director of the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau.