Beijing Pollution

darkstar94

January 16, 2013 at 11:11 PM posted in General Discussion

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/graphic/2013/jan/15/what-in-beijing-polluted-air

Just came across this. I read somewhere about the pollution in Beijing but I didn't see how bad it was. Anyonen in Beijing right now that would like to share their experience with the pollution in Beijing? I might be going to Beijing soon, so your input would be appreciated.

pretzellogic

January 17, 2013 at 01:15 AM

The most authoritative article on the subject of surgical masks I've found so far.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/14/who-should-wear-a-mask-during-flu-season/

pretzellogic

January 17, 2013 at 12:29 AM

Stop worrying about it. Do what people do here: stay indoors when the air is really bad. I avoid masks, unless you buy the expensive filtered ones (not the surgical masks). And don't go being paranoid: Right this second, air quality is pretty good: From the twitter feed of half hour ago:01-17-2013 08:00; PM2.5; 33.0; 94; Moderate (at 24-hour exposure at this level). But on the day your airplane lands in Beijing, it could be horrible. Then 5 hours after you land, it could be great again. Winds and weather change the air quality a lot, and relatively quickly.

miskat

January 17, 2013 at 11:59 AM

Last weekend had the worst pollution I have witnessed during the three years I have lived here in Beijing. The air quality index went completely off the scale, 800-900 at the worst time.

pretzellogic

January 17, 2013 at 01:35 AM

I understand. I lived in LA, and I'm used to pollution:-)

darkstar94

January 17, 2013 at 01:24 AM

Yeah I've seen that Beijingair twitter feed, last time I checked it it wasn't that bad. Thanks for your input, I just don't like pollution because I'm not used to it. I'm just a paranoid person, so I'll try to get over it!

pretzellogic

January 17, 2013 at 01:06 AM

Sorry, i'm on the verge of a rant the subject of which I have no business ranting; wearing masks to address the PM 2.5 problem is largely ineffective. But I see people doing it all the time.

They don't really wear the appropriate types of masks, if you believe websites such as these:

http://www.achooallergy.com/allergy-asthma-mask-buying-guide.asp

pretzellogic

January 17, 2013 at 12:51 AM

BTW, the twitter feed is @beijingair if you want to follow them. They give hourly updates. If you have the twitter app on your smartphone, you can follow the update on your phone once you land in Beijing, if you're of a mind to do such things.