Travel Tips: how to combat air pollution in China

 

We were departing for meetings in Beijing March 27

In late March 2014, our EB-5 business delegation was traveling in 5 cities around China. Air pollution was the major concerns we had. To stay healthy and minimize risks, we were fully prepared with N95 Particulate Respirator masks made by 3M. Some of us also prepared with Halo Oral Spray (against airborne germs) and Nozin Nasal Sanitizer which can be purchased at Amazon.com.  These items are extremely helpful.  They are highly recommended for you to use during the travels in China. Air pollution is a serious problem in many Chinese cities, Beijing is the worst so far during our visit in late March. There are a couple helpful websites that you can check on prior to traveling to China, such as the Chinese Cities Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) at http://aqicn.org/city and US Embassy in Beijing. The air monitor's measurements are expressed in the form of PM 2.5 concentration (micrograms per cubic meter, µg/m³) and corresponding AQI. The following chart was from the US Embassy in Beijing official website. You can find more information about air quality in Beijing at the Embassy website http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/aqirecent3.html

Air Quality Index  (AQI)	PM2.5   Health Effects Statement	PM 2.5 Cautionary Statement
Good (0-50)	PM2.5 air pollution poses little or no risk.	None
Moderate(51-100)	Unusually sensitive individuals may experience respiratory symptoms.	Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150)	Increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals, aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly.	People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
Unhealthy  (151-200)	Increased aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly; increased respiratory effects in general population.	People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion; everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
Very Unhealthy (201-300)	Significant aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly; significant increase in respiratory effects in general population.	People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
Hazardous (301-500)	Serious aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly; serious risk of respiratory effects in general population.	Everyone should avoid all physical activity outdoors; people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should remain indoors and keep activity levels low.

For more information about participating in the 2014 Business Exploratory Delegation to China, please contact us at artisanbusiness@gmail.com. Very limited space!