Political advisers at the city level in different provinces have submitted proposals that call for enhanced care for people working outdoors in smoggy conditions.

Hou Lixin, head of a private traditional Chinese medicine practice in Wuhan, Hubei province, shared his proposals on better protecting outdoor workers during a hearing on Jan 4, one day before the third session of the 12th Wuhan committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference opened.

In his proposals, Hou suggested the city government give subsidies to those workers who spend most of their working hours outdoors.

"They are the people who spend most of their days exposed to air pollution during smoggy days," he said.

The doctor said his proposals were the result of an increasing number of cases involving respiratory complaints this year.

"The number of people who came to us with respiratory symptoms increased almost by one-third from last year, mainly because the air pollution is more serious than last year," he said.

Hou said most patients who come to the clinic spend most of their days working outdoors, as cleaners, traffic police and construction workers.

"These are people doing ordinary jobs, but they are usually the core bread earners of the family," Hou said. "They have a family relying on them. It's vitally important for them to stay healthy."

Most of the patients are aware that their symptoms are environment-related, but few understand that air pollution is the root cause.