Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tection Agency (EPA). They began releasing these figures to the public via hourly Twitter
feeds (BeijingAir). This caused a national stir, not only because the numbers often differed
dramatically from the official Chinese figures, but also because it highlighted the fact that
the Chinese government was releasing more flattering figures, which were based on lar-
ger particulate matter (PM 10), rather than the smaller particulates (PM 2.5) that the EPA
deemed to be more harmful. Stirred by public pressure, the government also began releas-
ing PM 2.5 figures. Many of the official aggregated figures, however, still use the PM 10
data, and when put side by side with the health warnings of the EPA system, you'd think
they were measuring different cities. For example, the Chinese system grades the air qual-
ity from I to V, with I (0-50) indicating Excellent (
y
ō
u jí,
优级
) and V (>300) indicating
Serious (
zhòng jí,
重级
). On the day of writing this very paragraph, the readings from the
Beijing U.S. Embassy wavered between categories Unhealthy and Very Unhealthy, while
the figures for the nearby Chaoyang Nongzhanguan station had a warning level of II (
liáng,
良
), or Good.
The pollution will no doubt dampen your enthusiasm for an active outdoor lifestyle, but
sometimes it's important to be mindful of potential indoor pollutants. Cigarette smoke is of
course one of the major pollutants in restaurants and bars. However, VOCs (volatile organic
compounds) such as benzene and formaldehyde are also possible problems here because of
the quality standards of construction materials. A new, freshly painted apartment may not
be as pollutant-free as you think. “The indoor air pollution is just as crucial here in Beijing
as the outdoor pollution,” says Dr. Saint Cyr.
What Are Your Options?
Purchase air filters for your home, including your kids' rooms, especially if you plan to be
here for several years. Do the research in your own country, ensure they filter for VOCs, and
consider bringing them and the replacement filters with you—you may find they're cheaper
at home. Popular brands available in Beijing include Torana Clean Air (Blueair) and IQAir.
Wear a face mask when in crowded spaces, such as subway trains, and when doing out-
door exercise on polluted days. It needs to be an N95-rated mask and not just a cloth one.
Convenience stores, such as 7-Eleven, stock a range of basic masks, while stores such as
the World Health Store, Natooke cycle shop, and Torana Clean Air carry more specialized
options.
Keep your eye on the indexes. You can do this by downloading the China Air Quality In-
dex app onto your tablet computer or smartphone. This app compares both official govern-
