We don’t really want to think about a medical emergency happening to us in Beijing. (Sad, isn’t it?) The important thing to look for in the weather forecast is the wind. Name and Email are required. A good way to stay smart and be prepared for the China air quality to come is to by frequently checking the Beijing pollution forecast. Beijing is a big city.And guess what, it’s getting bigger…. China in general and its capital Beijing have serious problems with air quality. It still has a long way to go, and coping with China air pollution is something that expats have to deal with pretty regularly for those living in Beijing. There are plenty of options when it comes to purifiers. When living in or travelling to China, the Beijing Smog is always a hot topic. Whatsapp / Wechat / Mobile Air pollution issue is much more located at the regional rather than inner-city scale, and is … And these are probably just the bigger particles that you can actually see. Smog chokes the Chinese capital of Beijing over the weekend and into this week as CNN's Steven Jiang reports. Email: [email protected], Traditional: 台北市大安區安和路一段78巷29號 Sandstorms happen a couple of times a year, most often in spring when sand is blow in from the desert in neighbouring Inner Mongolia. Sure, there were days when the AQI would creep over the normal line and into orange.  The American Environmental Protection Agency EPA just tightened their standards in December 2012 to 12 micrograms per cubic meter. Beijing's smog isn't killing thousands right away like the infamous Great Smog of London in 1952 – medical treatment has evolved since then and the chemical makeup of the pollution is different. AIR POLLUTION IN BEIJING – THE RISKS Air pollution is a nation-wide phenomenon. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Between fine particles in my lungs and sand in my teeth, I take the sand. The smog is especially frequent and thick in winter, when more coal burning and stagnant weather patterns contribute to the accumulation of particles over the city. Lung cancer rates have risen over 60% in the past decade, although the … Don’t get us wrong, they still have a long way to go but here in 2021 you really are starting to see the difference. We give plenty of handy information on learning Chinese, useful apps to learn the language and everything going on at our LTL schools! Hello my name is Maria. Nonetheless, Beijing and its province are amongst the most severely exposed places in China. These can be more expensive, but they’re effective and some models come with a built in pollution-omiter. Phone:+86 (0) 10 65129057 However, there have been a few times that its glass exterior has needed a good cleaning post-Beijing pollution bout. It is still one of China’s most high profile environmental problems. But like any problem, it takes a while to solve and the Beijing smog is not something that is going to disappear entirely over night. PM stands for Particulate Matter suspended in the air. However, you can see in the chart below how things have been improving over the past 10 years. And we’re talking about a pollution mask here, not one of the surgical masks which have become a part of daily life now we’re living in a post- Covid China. The number system is much more in depth and can get a bit complicated, with different numbers representing different types of air pollution (yes there’s different types – some more harmful than others). 2.5 refers to the size of the particle, 2.5 microns in width, which is about 30 times smaller than a human hair width. Therefore air conditions may not be the same in different parts of the city. On windy days the air cleans up and the fine particles get blown somewhere else. Due to the health risks of prolonged exposure to pollution, long-term Beijing residents need to prepare for possibility of smog days, like it or not: Whether you’ve just arrived in Beijing, are preparing for a move to China, or you’ve been an expat here for a while, you can always find new ways to beat the pollution in Beijing. World Air Pollution index – Use this one to check the AQI around the world. There were a couple of instances when the AQI went over my mobile’s upper limit of 500. Wearing a mask may not be normal in your culture but it’s nothing out of the ordinary in Beijing. With over 6000 square miles it is ten times bigger than London and larger than the US state of Connecticut. But wearing a pollution mask (a good one, not just a cheap one…) will save your lungs a lot. Beiing on the other hand has been placed at 201 on their list. With scenes of the skyline where you can barely make out the shape of Beijing’s skyscrapers. Perfect if you’re a student. Yes and no. The smog is especially frequent and thick in winter, when more coal burning and stagnant weather patterns contribute … In the past Beijing was dominated by coal-combustion, factories and motor vehicles which led to a big pollution problem. Or an emergency room. After nearly two months of sparkling blue skies in Beijing, face masks are back and thick smog is smothering the city. No. The New York State Department of Health has a website that explains it quite well. The WHO recommends 24-hour exposure of no higher than 25 micrograms per cubic meter. Email: [email protected], Xiangyang South Rd. The term "smog" was coined in the early 20th Century by combining the words "smoke" and "fog". Alright, this one is boring and kind of the last option. 建国路88号现代城SOHO B座 504, Our School Locations LTL Beijing on Google. Enjoy those blue sky days. Unfortunately, I did have to go outdoors on that particular day. Firstly, learn how to know how polluted it is outside (without just looking out of your window). It seems that gone are the winters where you will spend most of the time hidden behind a mask due to the Beijing air quality being too bad to be able to see much of a distance in front of you. She started her China journey in September 2018 when she came to Beijing with her daughter,…. “What is the weather like in Beijing” – is one we get asked a lot! It cost $5 million. Beijing recorded its lowest ever monthly reading for air pollution in August 2019, with a low of 23 µg/m³. ( Lowenberg, 2015) The air quality index (AQI) was over 250, more than twenty times the level recommended by the World Health Organization.Smog problem exerts tremendous influence on citizens in Beijing and the government has been making efforts to … A particularly severe smog engulfed the city for weeks in early 2013, elevating public awareness to unprecedented levels and prompting the government to roll out emergency measures. Beijing Air Pollution Beijing overall air quality index is 104 Beijing PM 2.5 (fine particulate matter) AQI is 104 - Beijing PM 10 (respirable particulate matter) AQI is 70 - Beijing NO 2 (nitrogen dioxide) AQI is 31 - Beijing SO 2 (sulfur dioxide) AQI is 1 - Beijing O 3 (ozone) AQI is 3 - Beijing … Discover all of LTL’s destinations for learning Chinese in China. Not every kind of mask does that. Often the weather forecast will say “sunny” but the visibility is only 3 km (about 2 miles) or less. But we should be prepared. Sometimes you’ll find that smaller cities close by will have a much better AQI. Beijing also no longer ranks inside the top 200 most polluted cities according to IQAir. Getting an air purifier for your home or office is probably a good idea, especially if you have small children or are sensitive. It’s uncomfortable and arguably makes breathing more difficult…, Some of them can also make you look like Bane from the Batman films . Or if you’re sick of city life, head far off completely down South to the mountains landscapes of Guilin, or any of China’s beautiful scenic corners. You can take advantage of China’s awesome food takeout apps and have a movie & food binge Beijing smog night. There are many websites you can use to check the Beijing air pollution and Beijing smog situation. I'm away right now, so I will get back to you by email as soon as possible, Beijing Pollution 2021 : Everything You Need to Know, China Air Pollution & Beijing Air Quality, Staying Healthy in the Beijing Smog (5 Step Guide), Pollution in China – The Unparalleled Truth, more in depth and can get a bit complicated. The government are doing a lot to tackle it, particularly in Beijing. Beijing was cloaked in thick yellow smog on Monday with pollution levels surging off the charts as the worst sandstorm in a decade descended on China's capital. Smog adversely affects life in these areas, creating visibility constraints, respiratory troubles a… Unfortunately not, at least not that I am aware of. The American embassy publishes hourly air quality readings taken at the embassy compound in Chaoyang via a free App. Yes, it’s annoying and the more high quality pollution masks are not the most attractive piece of attire. You will get a reply from us Your email address will not be published. Tel: +86 (0) 10 65129057 Tel: +86 (0) 21 3368 0866 There was “that sandstorm” near the end of winter that caused the Beijing air quality to go off all of the China air pollution scales at over 999+…. China air pollution is measured using a number, and easy to understand colour system. What should you do to be safe? The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) also highlights the … Tel: +886 (2) 27555007 In the past Beijing had record beating levels of bad pollution, however in recent years the situation has improved a lot. Sign up in seconds to claim your free trial! We got so used to it that we consider anything below 50 good. Smog is a form of air pollution which highly reduces visibility on land. On the upside and to put it into perspective, your relative risk for lung cancer from the air pollution is calculated to be lower than the risk from smoking. A #910 His writing style is engaging and fun to read (much better than mine…). European Commission sets PM2.5 fine particle standards. You don’t want to think about what that looks like in your lungs. When the wind sweeps away all that smog, air out the apartment, go for a run and visit the parks. This varies depending on which source you look at, according to IQAir the most polluted city in the world is Ghazibad India. You should usually listen to this advice, especially if you are particularly affected by the pollution i.e. You don’t want to rely on looking out of the window to judge how good or bad it is? Tiananmen Gate stands shrouded with heavy pollution and fog in Beijing on December 1, 2015. Zoe is one of the more well travelled individuals we've met at LTL. Please contact me using the details below. Since 2013, when an intense round of pollution hit northern China in January, Beijing has had a color-coded emergency response plan to smog. However, in recent years Beijing has actually made huge improvements to their pollution levels. It cost $5 million. Email: [email protected], No. have asthma. If you’re just after knowing whether to leave the house with a mask on or not, all you need to understand is the colour system. In the past Beijing had record beating levels of bad pollution, however in recent years the situation has improved a lot. So how to you deal with air pollution? According to the article "Air Pollution in Mega Cities in China", "Coal accounts for 70% of the total energy consumption, and emissions from coal combustion are the major anthropogenic contributors to air pollution in China." That said, speak to long term expats in Beijing and they’ll tell you it’s only getting better in the city. Enjoy that clean air while it lasts: statistics suggest the overall pollution situation has improved during the past few years but residents can expect spells of smog for a long time to come. Ruth moved to Beijing in 2011 with her husband and later started the Beijing Expat Guide. There are also some very effective budget options for filtering your air at home. Jianguo Rd. How deadly is the air pollution in Beijing China? A Weekend in Shanghai A Weekend in Shanghai – Enjoying local Chinese food This is Lenka’s Weekend in Shanghai story. Published on Mar 21, 2018. 10. 88 Xiandai SOHO Beijing was once again shrouded in smog on Saturday after several days of heavy pollution which have plagued China’s capital during the Lunar New Year national holiday. Follow the AQI chart’s guidelines to find out which days you should wear a mask. Severe smog and ground-level ozone problems exist in many major cities around the world, from Mexico City to Beijing, and a recent, well-publicized event in Delhi, India. 徐汇区襄阳南路218号现代大厦 A座 910室 According to IQAir, Beijing actually now ranks outside of the top 200 most polluted cities, coming in at number 201. Many of them contain all of the basic information, with some containing more detailed and accurate information than others. Effects of Smog in Beijing. You can watch as the air in your home gets cleaner. Email Address * These very fine particles can travel deep into the respiratory tract and the lungs, which can cause short-term and longer term health effects. Plus, Chinese people (as well as foreigners!) Keep in mind that Beijing covers a huge area. There is genuine light at the end of the tunnel and the war with air pollution is one China is winning. If you wish to hear more from LTL Mandarin School why not join our mailing list. City residents used goggles, masks and hairnets to protect themselves from the choking air, … WANT A FREE CHINESE CLASS? Having gone through the past few summers with minimal Beijing pollution on most days, it was almost easy to forget that on some days Beijing is one of the world’s more polluted cities. Besides, regular face masks are sufficient for sand but don’t protect against the more dangerous PM2.5 particles. Some people here use the euphemism fog when referring to the smog. What to Do on a Poor Air Quality Day in Beijing - Helpful Tips Though, as winter rolls around and the fierce colds of the Beijing winter start to blow in, Beijingers and people all over Northern China turn to coals for heating – one of the reported reasons for pollution being such an issue in the North of China. To give you some dry numbers and reference: The European Commission sets PM2.5 fine particle standards at 25 micrograms per cubic meter for an annual average. There is no way to avoid having the fine particles in your home. The app is a bit buggy at times but the data is reliable. There Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, a family medicine physician at Beijing United Family Hospital  addresses many questions around air pollution and other health topics. Although she has since left China, she still comes back often to visit friends and fill up on delicious Chinese food. But often, the coarser dirt and sand then is blown around instead. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, e.g. BEIJING (Reuters) - Beijing was once again shrouded in smog on Saturday after several days of heavy pollution which have plagued China’s capital during the Lunar New Year national holiday. But there is no denying that it often is smoggy here. walking or biking, you should consider getting a good face mask that can filter out the PM2.5 particles. 北海市海城区北海大道183号城市购物广场 0510号 You can turn up your air purifier to max power. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected], Thank you very much! Once you’ve figure out what level the pollution is, if it happens to be a bad day then it’s time to put on a pollution mask. The increasing number of air pollutants can cause incidences of low visibility for days and acid rain. But, there were more blue skies than not in Beijing in the summer of 2020. Want to have an insight all the pollution in China? If you have any more of your own ways or specific rituals do let us know in the comments below! 88, Xiandai SOHO, Building B, 504 Hopefully the improving Beijing air quality trend will continue over the months and years. Tel: +86 (0) 10 65129057 Don’t worry, no dry lectures there. Tangshan is ranked as the country’s sixth most polluted city—and the top five are also in Hebei. Tell your friend to wear a mask. The Air … 建国路88号现代城SOHO B座 504 You should avoid exercising when pollution levels are high, and if you have to go for a jog try and stay away from high-traffic areas and wear a mask. Bottom line is – it’s not a “fashion is pain” situation here. As let’s face it you don’t want to be wearing your mask inside all day. Air pollution is a serious concern and can affect everyday life. Lets look at healthcare for foreigners in Beijing. Not every day has poor air quality, although this winter has been worse than many people here remember from the last couple years. Beijing is bordered by the Xishan and Yanshan mountains. don’t care. Mobile: 0086 18410181078. I am from China and I am a student advisor at LTL Beijing. Which is pretty self-explanatory. You could invest in a well-known brand, such as Xiaomi. To get more advice from a medical perspective, check out this great site MyHealth Beijing. Air Pollution in China Is Spreading Across the Pacific to the U.S. On Monday morning, a dismal grey haze blanketed the capital. Only once (or maybe twice) did the CCTV tower disappear behind clouds of Beijing smog this year. In recent years, the smog in Beijing has been criticized. If the AQI is high, wear a pollution mask. Although Beijing still has a long way to go, in 2020 there were more blue sky days than polluted days. 0510, City Plaza, No. … I remember consuming probably what is considered as way too much sand (although I suppose any quantity of sand is too much sand to be consumed). A former (and sure to be future student with us), Zoe now blogs for LTL when she gets spare time. And it’s important to know how to look after yourself on the days that are particularly bad, even if the majority of your days in Beijing are getting blue-er. Visibility across Beijing was severely limited by the smog on the second day of Lunar New Year, with the tops of the city's Beijing’s tallest group of buildings in the east of the city almost completely covered by the haze. Beijing is quite notorious for its bad air quality. O n Wednesday morning in Beijing, we fitted our two boys with their mini-masks and sent them off to school. with smog problem for several years and in December 2015, Chinese government triggered the first red-alert warning for smog in Beijing. Building B, 5th Floor, Room 504 We all hope that we will never need an ambulance. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says anything over 25 micrograms is considered unsafe. I just washed windows this morning and was stunned (again, as every time I wash windows) that the inside was as dirty as the outside with very fine dark sticky dirt. Beijing is quite notorious for its bad air quality. Beijing surpasses these levels almost every day considerably. In recent years Beijing has made huge improvements to their pollution problem, however it is still an issue, especially in the winter months when the city relies on coal for heating.