Having Trouble Breathing? Part Two

Feeling crappy in a way you can't quite put your finger on? Here’s why. After a few days of clear skies last week (nothing to do with President Obama’s visit we’re sure), air pollution readings in Beijing were once again off the scale yesterday.

Over at MyHealthBeijing, Dr Richard posted this morning: “It’s 9am now; for the last 12 hours the pollution levels (taken hourly at the US Embassy) have been at EMERGENCY LEVELS. Anything over 300 is considered a public health emergency; right now it is over 500!”

Dr Richard’s post continues: “All healthy people may have health effects at this level and should minimize all outdoor activity… children, and especially infants and toddlers, should stay indoors, and all school outdoor sports and activities should be suspended.”

As I write this at 11am, the reading taken from the U.S. Embassy’s MetOne BAM 1020 particle monitor located in Chaoyang District was at 461, a level still considered “dangerous” under U.S. EPA standards.

The U.S. Embassy readings are available via at Twitter feed at Beijing Air, or if you are unable to access Twitter, you can see the readings here.

You can read another one of our recent posts about Beijing’s air here.