Air is everywhere. Unless you’re an astronaut or an alien in outer space, you breathe air. You need it to live, and so do a lot of other things. Puppies. Panda bears. Grumpy looking cats. Whether you’re in China for business large or small, you will be breathing the air. In many parts of China, that means polluted air. Though there are steps being taken to improve the air quality in China and its surrounding regions, visitors still need to be prepared to handle the air pollution as it currently stands.
To minimize issues that might arise from breathing polluted air, it helps to know what you’re trying to avoid. The most common form of air pollution in China consists of PM 2.5. Called PM 2.5 because the particulates are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, this form of air pollution is believed to pose the largest health risks because the particulates are small enough to directly enter the lungs and even the blood stream. Common temporary symptoms of a healthy person exposed include coughing, phlegm, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Older adults, pregnant women, newborns, children, and those with heart or lung disease are considered at risk to more harmful reactions.
PM 2.5 is measured on a scale called the Air Quality Index, commonly known as the AQI. The AQI has a range from 0 to 500, which is then broken down into danger levels. If the AQI is 0 to 50, it’s considered “Good”. This is the air you should be able to breathe without a problem. AQI from 51 to 100 is “Moderate”, while 101 to 150 is deemed “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”. Around here you might start coughing or get a sore throat. An AQI between 151 and 200 is “Unhealthy”, and 201 to 300 is “Very Unhealthy”. These are considered the points where everyone starts feeling the effects of the PM 2.5. Finally, an AQI ranging between 300 and 500 is “Hazardous”. You don’t want to go out in this if you can help it.
The air pollution levels fluctuate quickly in China, and there are ways to keep track. Under Article 22 of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution, “The administrative department of environmental protection under the State Council shall set up a monitoring system for atmospheric pollution, organize a monitoring network and work out unified monitoring measures.”
In accordance with this law, China has established a national network of cities with air quality monitoring equipment, and it continues to grow. Using this network, the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Monitoring Center releases hourly AQI reports to the public. Furthermore, the Ministry of Environmental Protection uses this network of air monitoring equipment to compile and release monthly and annual reports on the air quality of the 74 major cities in China. You can even find these hourly AQI reports on embassy websites and mobile applications.
Before you go outside, it’s highly recommended to check these AQI reports provided by the government. Most paper masks won’t protect you from the PM 2.5 because the particulates are so small, so the best defense against overexposure is to stay indoors when the AQI level is too high. China laws and regulations are working to reduce the air pollution, and show promising results thus far, but visitors to China should still take care to protect their health.