One morning my daughter asked me, “mommy is the sky green today?” and I answered without thinking “no it is purple.” Neither of us batted an eye and continued with our days.

As I write this, the sky is blue and the little green man in my pollution APP AirVisual has shown himself, so we will HAVE to go outside today. No matter the temperature outside, I WILL open my windows. After arriving in Beijing last summer, I tried to ignore the air. But when the cold arrived, the pollution came with it. We fitted our home with a lazer egg and now we own ten air purifiers. I have sealed my home like fort Knox, and we own fancy masks that protect us. I admit, at one point I went a bit pollution crazy.

I am lucky that our shipment arrived from our move oversees (lots of toys!) I personally love pottering around the house, so no issue staying inside some days. I received great advice from a mother “if the pollution is too high, I rather transport my kids with protection through bad air, to a venue or friends house with clean air. Rather than staying at home miserable next to the air machine.” Mental health is as important as anything and having happy kids and parents is good for everyone’s mental health. In my experience over these past eight months, it has been hard to explain to my almost four year old daughter why some kids will come to play while other kids wont leave the house on heavily polluted days. Different families, different air policies. Here is a great website explaining air pollution for kids that are seven years old or older.

In a bid to make it easier for my daughter to understand our family’s pollution policy, I made a framed pollution chart. I found some coloring-book pages to put inside the frame and then made an arrow that we can move depending on the air outside. I got my inspiration from a weather chart on this website.

Pauline van Hasselt has been working for beijingkids since October 2016. Born in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, she moved with her husband and her 3 year-old daughter to Beijing in June of this year. Prior she lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paraguay, Texas, and London, studying and working as a chef. Pauline enjoys biking around Beijing, finding markets and new restaurants, reading crime and fantasy books in bed, and most importantly, turning her house into a home for her family.

One of my favorite pieces of art in our home is a poster my daughter and I created from an idea I found on Pinterest. We created this piece when she was two years old. With no money for “real” art, we created our own at home. This piece is easy and fun to make.

I wanted to create something similar again but this time on a canvas. I sourced all the supplies for this craft online, so you don’t have to brave the pollution. I am a big fan of baopals.com because it’s in English and it is easily navigated through WeChat.

I bought a canvas sized 60 cm by 80 cm and a roll of tape. I used kids paint and kids paint brushes.The brushes are not a necessity as hands and feet are more fun anyway.

We started with putting the tape on the canvas, then I put an apron on my daughter. It might have been easier to just take her clothes off completely and trow the child in the bath later.

It all started off nice and clean, but soon brushes were are thrown aside. I do like a bit of freestyle art, and we even clapped with our paint hands above the canvas for some nice effects.

This is how the canvas looked with the tape still on it. I usually let it dry for 24 hours before removing the tape. Sometimes longer if the paint is very thick.

And this is the end result after taking off the tape. An art piece worthy enough to hang in the home. This was great to give as a bithday present to somebody who appriciates my child’s art as much as I do. Daddy!

Pauline van Hasselt has been working for beijingkids since October 2016. Born in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, she moved with her husband and her 3 year-old daughter to Beijing in June of this year. Prior she lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paraguay, Texas, and London, studying and working as a chef. Pauline enjoys biking around Beijing, finding markets and new restaurants, reading crime and fantasy books in bed, and most importantly, turning her house into a home for her family.

Ever since I got my Laser Egg in 2015, I’ve been a little obsessed with the pollution levels inside my apartment. When we moved to our current apartment over the summer I was thrilled to see that on a “good” day of between 100-200, the Laser Egg would routinely read 4-16 US AQI in all rooms of our apartment. I was not thrilled to see that my living room filters struggled to keep up when it got above 200 outside. After some investigation with the Laser Egg, I found leaks at both patio doors and the main apartment door. We sealed the living room patio door with packing tape, but we need to access the kitchen patio on a regular basis, so sealing it for the winter wasn’t an option. I ended up putting a towel across the threshold to cut down on the pollution. It helped quite a bit. Until today we have been putting a long towel down to block the airflow of the front door, but it gets moved easily and is difficult to fit snugly against the door.

My family is visiting us and in the midst of reorganization projects, I realized that I had a long amount of spare fabric from an unfortunate purchase at Muxiyuan. My mother-in-law helped me measure and plan out a draft stopper. We measured the fabric against the door and decided to make it 3-4 cm wider than the door on both sides. Then we folded it over and tried to determine how big we wanted it once it was filled with rice. I measured it and marked the fabric down the length of it to make a guide-line for sewing. Folded, it was about 10 cm from the fold to the guide-line, making it roughly 20 cm in circumference. My MIL then put a few tack stitches in down the length of the fabric so it wouldn’t come unfolded at the tailors. The kitchen door one was a bit tricky, but we managed to get one to the right length after leaving about 2.5 cm length in extra fabric to allow us to sew.

I explained to my ayi what we wanted done, and she went off to the market to buy rice and have the tailor sew it. Our intention was to fill it and sew it shut when she got back, but she came back it was completely done. We put them in front of the doors and put the Laser egg down to test. I’m pretty pleased with the results!

I don’t remember how much I paid for the fabric years ago, but the sewing was 5 RMB and the rice was around 30 RMB for enough to fill both tubes. Well worth the cost as I’m currently typing this in an apartment with 37 US AQI when it is 420 outside!

For those less craftily minded, Taobao finally has a draft blocker available. Search in English for “Twin Draft Guard dust door stop” and there are several options that come up. They are only 90 cm wide, so it wouldn’t have worked as well for my door that is about a meter wide.

However much we love our adopted home, there’s one aspect of Beijing that it’s hard to feel good about: air pollution. Around the world smog has become associated with Beijing, as synonymous with the city as the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong or the CCTV Building. For many people moving here, it’s the first thing their friends and family will ask about.

Yet some twenty million people live here, their day to day lives largely unaffected. While we can hope for clearer skies in the future, for now air pollution is just something to work around, like the traffic and the crowds, part of the price of living in one of the world’s great cities.

To separate fact from fiction, we talked to Dr. Richard Saint Cyr. Dr. Saint Cyr, who practices medicine at Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU), was a health columnist for beijingkids for many years and continues to write about health and wellness in China on his blog, My Health Beijing.

How much of a problem is air pollution in Beijing? Who should be concerned?
Air pollution in Beijing is quite high, even when the air seems to be clear. It is most concerning for people who stay here for many years, but it’s also a potential issue for those who are already sick or vulnerable, such as small children or the elderly, or people with chronic heart and lung disease.

Are kids more affected by air pollution than adults?
There is concern that air pollution can cause permanent damage to a child’s lungs, which continue to develop until around age 18. The best studies so far are from California and show that higher air pollution causes a decrease in lung function, which can last into adulthood. The good news is that studies also show that moving to a cleaner area can improve lung function. Air pollution is also considered harmful to pregnant women and their unborn babies.

What is PM2.5? What is PM10?
PM2.5 simply means “particulate matter” of 2.5 microns, and PM10 is larger at 10 microns. We worry more about the PM2.5, as these particles are so small that we can breathe them in deeply and they get absorbed into our bodies via the lungs. These particles can come from many sources, especially from coal burning, emissions, construction sites, and factories.

What is China doing to address air pollution?
China is taking enormous steps to control air pollution, but the problem itself is enormous. It’s estimated to take at least 15 years before Beijing’s air approaches any meaningfully-improved levels that would be considered healthy. The goal is to get PM2.5 under 10 ug/m3, and Beijing’s air currently is around 86 ug/m3. We have a long way to go!

To keep track of daily pollution levels, get into the habit of checking the US Embassy Twitter feed (@BeijingAir), which provides hourly readings of PM 2.5 levels from the roof of the US Embassy in Liangmaqiao. Keep in mind that these readings may not be accurate for other parts of the city, but they do provide a reliable snapshot of the air quality in central Beijing. The Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center also publishes its own air quality readings (zx.bjmemc.com.cn) from 27 different monitoring stations across the city.

The most convenient way to stay up-to-date on daily AQI readings is through apps. iPhone users can download the free app China Air Quality Index by Fresh Ideas, which provides data not only for Beijing but a number of other cities in China. Android users can download the Beijing Air Quality widget.

Face masks
Dr. Saint Cyr says:
Masks are reasonable any time you’re outside for more than a few minutes and the air is bad, especially an AQI over 200. Many do work but many do not, so it’s important to stick to masks that have government certifications like N95, N99, KN95, and FFP2 or 3. The fit is also crucial, especially for kids’ smaller faces. If you can feel air leaking around the edges, then it’s not fitting well enough. If it does fit well, then indeed it can decrease your exposure to PM2.5 by 95 percent or more. When in doubt as to brands, just stick with 3M; they’ve been proven effective for decades with government certifications across the world, they’re cheap, and are available in many places, including 7-Eleven.

Masks are divided into disposable and reusable types varying widely by material, cost, and style. Recurring brands include 3M, Respro, Vogmask, and Totobobo. The US-based company 3M makes disposable N95 masks that have proven popular despite their rather “surgical” appearance; they can be a bit awkward for those who wear glasses, but conform to a number of international standards. Each mask costs RMB 10-30 depending on the model. They can be found at select supermarkets and convenience stores like April Gourmet and 7-Eleven, as well as websites like Amazon China (z.cn) and Taobao (www.taobao.com)

Respro masks are easily recognizable by their “Darth Vader” aesthetic, with replaceable charcoal filters and two external valves. They’re popular with cyclists, though the close-fitting design tends to be uncomfortable for longer rides and hot days. The Techno (RMB 399) and Sportsta Tech (RMB 429) models are available at any of the websites listed above and Natooke, a fixed-gear bike shop in Wudaoying Hutong. The friendly staff can advise you on the best model for your needs. Two-packs of filters are also available RMB 259.

Vogmask produces comfortable microfiber and organic cotton masks containing HEPA filters in four sizes: XS (ages 1-2), S (ages 3-7), M (ages 8-12), and L (adult). However, the child sizes are often out of stock due to high demand. There are numerous styles with patterns inspired by animals, flowers, classic arcade games, contemporary art movements, and even particle physics. Vogmasks cost RMB 225 at the time of print and can be bought at Torana Clean Air Center. The store also carries RZ Masks (RMB 198), which are similar in appearance to Respro masks.

Totobobo masks are made in Singapore and consist of a lightweight, transparent material called SoftTech. They also feature replaceable filters (RMB 126-236 per pack) and can be trimmed to fit kids 5 and over. Both the Classic, which covers the nose and mouth, and SuperCool, which covers the mouth only, are available on TMall (totobobo.tmall.com) for RMB 208. Cyclists may find the SuperCool model comfortable in hot weather, as condensation tends to form within the full mask during times of physical exertion.

When you come home at the end of the day and shut the door to the outside world, you still can’t be certain that the air you’re breathing is safe. Even the most modern buildings will only keep out half of PM2.5, and there are numerous other pollutants which might be lurking unseen.

Indoor pollution
Dr. Saint Cyr says:
Families should focus on making their indoor air as clean as possible, and this inevitably means air purification. Everyone’s goal should be getting their indoor air PM2.5 under 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air (ug/m3), which is equivalent to an AQI under 50 – the ‘green zone’ of healthy air, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

When should families use air purifiers?
I personally think that, in Beijing, every family should use air purifiers always, every day, all year round. It’s so rare that Beijing’s air is under AQI 50 for even a few hours, you simply need to get air purifiers, keep the windows closed, and keep the machines on 24 hours a day. They work extremely well, but only if you’ve correctly assessed how many machines you need and what speed you need to keep them on. At the very least, every child should have an air purifier in their bedroom.

What factors should you consider before buying a purifier?
Before buying, you really need to assess your needs, which means measuring the room area and volume and figuring out what’s the total flow rate you need; every room needs five circulations per hour for effective cleaning.
With this information, it’s much easier to see which machines or combination of machines can cover your needs. Don’t forget that advertised flow rates, often [expressed]as Clean Air Delivery Rate or CADR, only apply to the machine’s fastest speed, which is almost never what you’d actually use in everyday use, [most likely]due to loud noise at this setting. The quieter settings will have a lower flow rate, but you won’t see that in most ads; a simple rule of thumb is to cut the CADR in half as a more reasonable expectation of what that machine can do for you.
As you can see, buying a purifier can be very confusing, especially if you have a big house, so you may be better off hiring an environmental assessment team and getting their input.

If you’re worried about brands, don’t fall into the trap of only buying expensive imported air purifiers. Plenty of HEPA-certified local brands work just as well and cost far less than many famous models. All you need is a strong fan with a good HEPA filter. If you want to test your investment, just buy a PM2.5 particle monitor and see how well they are working.

Are green plants useful for addressing air pollution at home?
Green plants look nice and do absorb a bit of air pollution as well as provide oxygen. But the amounts are so tiny that it’s not a proper solution to tackling air pollution anywhere in China – at least not by itself. All HEPA-rated air purifiers perform much better than any plant.

If you’re concerned about indoor pollution, companies such as PureLiving will come to your home and test the air. After the test, a full report is produced with the most pressing issues to be tackled and a list of recommendations.
Factors that might affect the health and safety conditions of your home include the location, housing type, and age of the building. When you move in, ask your agent, landlord, or management office for a history of the home, including the year it was built, the date it was last renovated, and materials used to build the house; this will make the testing process much easier.

Air Purifiers for the Home
There’s a dizzying array of indoor filtration options, with a similarly broad range of price tags to match. Many families are willing to spare no expense to invest in imported air purifiers such as HealthPro, Blueair (distributed by Torana Clean Air Center), Alen Air (distributed by Renaud Air), and Oransi. Expect to pay between RMB 3,000 to 25,000 per unit depending on the size, model, and surface area you’d like to filter. When deciding on an air purifier model, factors include brand, surface area of your home, and extra features such as UV-C lights to kill mold and yeast.

There are much cheaper air purifier models, mostly made by domestic manufacturers like Yadu that can be found at supermarkets and electronics chains like Gome, Dazhong, and Suning. However, keep in mind that foreign brands are more likely to have undergone rigorous testing for their purifiers and passed product safety standards.
And then, there are upstarts like Smart Air, a social enterprise that champions low-cost DIY air filters and puts on regular workshops to help Beijing residents build their own air purifiers. Kits – which are consist of a fan, a HEPA filter, and a strap – are available on Smart Air’s website for RMB 200 or RMB 468 depending on the fan strength. The enterprise’s experiments with DIY filters are backed up with hard data on their website (see Resources).

Common Indoor Pollutants
Lead
Lead is a naturally occurring element that can be toxic to humans and animals when ingested or inhaled. It’s particularly harmful to children, who are vulnerable to impairments in their neurological development. Common sources of lead include paint, ceramics, pipes and plumbing materials, toys, solders, gasoline, batteries, ammunition, and cosmetics. Lead exposure is one of the foremost causes of child mortality in China. Kids are at a higher risk of absorbing lead, as they may touch objects containing lead; ingest foods or drinks containing lead; use plates or glasses containing lead; inhale dust from lead-based paint or lead-contaminated soil; or play with toys containing lead.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
VOCs are a group of odorless, carbon-based chemicals that evaporate quickly at room temperature. Indoor environments usually count up to ten times higher levels of VOCs than outdoors. VOCs are given off by thousands of products, including paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning products, pesticides, building materials, furnishings, printers, corrector fluid, glues and adhesives, and permanent markers. This can cause long-term damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Some VOCs are known carcinogens.

Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a type of VOC considered by the US National Toxicology Program to be a “known human carcinogen.” It can be found in building materials such as plywood, paneling, pressed-wood products, and urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI), a type of resin used in adhesives, finishes, and medium-density fiberboard. UFFI was banned in the US and Canada in the mid 1980s due to concerns over formaldehyde vapor. In Beijing, however, some homes still contain UFFI and pose a serious health concern for families.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Carbon dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas occurring both naturally and as a result of human activities such as burning gasoline, coal, oil, and wood. Indoors, CO2 levels are dependent on the number of people in the house, how long an area has been occupied, the amount of fresh air circulating in the area from outdoors, the size of the room or area, and whether combustion by-products are contaminating indoor air (e.g. idling vehicles near air intakes, leaky furnaces, tobacco smoke). When there is too much CO2, the lack of oxygen can cause reduced organ function and permanent damage to the brain and heart.

Particulate and Allergens
Air pollution is made up of various components; among them is particulate matter, which is commonly referred to as PM. Particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller can pass through the throat and nose then enter the lungs. PM can still be found indoors, as leaving windows and doors open over a prolonged period of time can lead to buildup. Dust mites, animal dander, and even cockroaches can trigger allergic reactions for sufferers of asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases. If possible, use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter; a regular vacuum cleaner is likely to spit particulate matter and allergens back out.

Mold
Outdoors, molds play an important part in the natural cycle by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees. Indoors, however, mold growth is to be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through the air. Mold may begin growing indoors when spores land on moist surfaces, increasing the likelihood of respiratory diseases for both adults and children.

Radon
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas found in nearly all soil types and that seeps in from underground. When inhaled, it gives off radioactive particles that can damage the cells lining the lung; in fact, radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. It can be found in both old and new houses, well-insulated or drafty, with or without a basement. Radon can enter homes via pathways such as openings in floor caulking and sealants around pipes. Built-up air pressure between the foundation of the building and the soil can also cause radon to be drawn into the house. There is also some concern over marble and granite, which are mined from the soil and contain trace amounts of radioactive elements called Naturally Occurring Radioactive Mineral (NORMs). The latter can emit measurable amounts of radiation and radon gas, but this depends on where the granite or marble was mined.

Resources
• Vogmask: 400 650 1253, info@vogmask.cn, vogmask.cn
• HealthPro: 400 650 1266, www.iqair-china.com/en
• Torana Clean Air Center: 8459 0785, 8590 0511,
6597 9986, toranabeijing@163.com, www.toranacleanair.com
• Renaud Air: 400 820 2791, www.renaudair.cn
• Oransi: 400 665 9677, www.oransi.cn
• Smart Air: info@smartairfilters.com, smartairfilters.com
• Pure Living: 6500 8058, www.purelivingchina.com

Dr. Richard Saint Cyr
Originally from the US, Dr. Richard (as we know him) graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English from Columbia University before turning to the field of medicine. He has lived in Beijing since 2007 and wrote for beijingkids for many years. He and his wife have a son, Alex, who is almost 2. Find more of Dr. Richard’s writing at www.myhealthbeijing.com.

Photo: Bernhard Wintersperger (Flickr), Stevenzhang1221 (Flickr), Sui and courtesy of Vogmask and Healthpro

This article originally appeared on pages 27 and 31 of the 2016 Home and Relocation Guide. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

Everyone knows about Beijing’s notorious air pollution, but many newcomers forget that clean water is not a given in China.

The tap water in Beijing is not fit for drinking (or cooking, or showering) as China treats water with high amounts of chloramines, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, to disinfect the water. Chlorine alone is known to cause cancer, asthma, and skin irritations (allergies), but chloramines is even more difficult to remove, and, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is about “about 2,000 and 100,000 times less effective than free chlorine for the inactivation of E. Coli and rotaviruses, respectively”, which may negatively affect those of us with weak stomachs and poor immune systems.

Drinking water solutions

• Boil it! Boiling tap water is a cheap method that removes bacteria but has no effect on neurotoxins, heavy metals, mercury or minerals like calcium.
• Purchase carbon filters, such as those in Brita pitchers.  You can find larger carbon filters for water coolers if the little pitchers are not enough for your family, but remember that while carbon filters can remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chlorine, taste, and odor, it cannot handle the minerals, salt and dissolved inorganic compounds found in Beijing’s tap water.
• Order water delivered to your door — a popular option as it’s convenient to call up a company to deliver 19l jugs of water while you’re out.  However, there are three points to consider: (1) bisphenol A (BPA) is commonly found in plastic bottles, especially if the jug has been filled for more than a week (which is likely); (2) water jugs usually get placed in a dispenser, which ought to be cleaned/disinfected regularly or there could be bacterial growth; (3) the authenticity of the water delivered, as even bottled water could just be tap water. Brands such as C’estbon have bar codes that supposedly “track” your water, but their reliability is questionable due to their many branch stores. The most reliable water delivery service is Watsons, which has just one warehouse they deliver from and a very user-friendly English website to order from.
• Purchase bottled water in 4-5L bottles. Not the most eco-friendly option, but if you stick to the well-known brands such as Watsons, Nestle, and Ganten, at least you won’t worry about the quality of the water.
• Install counter-top or under-counter water filtration (for an individual faucet), such as the systems from Aquasana or Xiaomi. These are more affordable as filters only need to be changed every six months or so.  The Aquasana table top model has been tested to remove 97 percent of chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, etc. while keeping beneficial minerals.  The Xiaomi model is newer and has four levels of reverse osmosis filtration, filtering 99.9 percent of most pollutants, including antibiotics.
• Install a whole house water filtration system, the most cost-effective way to ensure the safety of your water for not only drinking and cooking, but also brushing your teeth, showering, and laundering purposes.  Whole house water filtration systems can be upgraded to include water softening features, and Aquasana offers free installation and delivery.

Shower Filters 
Many expats complain of skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff as well as chronic skin and hair dryness while living in Beijing. According to Aquasana’s website, showering and bathing in chlorinated tap water even at very low levels can cause damage to skin and hair. Chlorine is known to strip hair and skin of its natural protective oils, resulting in scaly skin, itching, and bacterial imbalances.  In addition, the contaminants in shower water are at least 20 times more concentrated in steam, which can be inhaled in a shower and will even linger as indoor air pollution. To address these health concerns, filters can be directly installed onto shower heads, with or without a wand, which according to Aquasana can remove 97 percent of chlorine while balancing PH levels.

Resources

Aquasana China 美国阿夸莎娜公司
Rm 1271, Jinchao Building, Beijing Bureau of Environmental Protection, 5 Nongzhanguan Nanlu, Chaoyang District (400 000 8320, EN: 136 5128 5157, shop@aquasana-china.com) www.aquasana-china.com 朝阳区农展南路5号北京市环境保护局京朝大厦1271

World Health Store 世界健康品店
1) Mon-Fri 10.30am-8pm, Sat-Sun 10am-7.30pm. Rm 2152, 1/F, Section A, North Tower, Soho Shangdu, 8 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (5900 2209) www.worldhealthstore.com.cn 朝阳区东大桥路8号SOHO尚都北塔A座一层2152; 2) Mon-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri-Sat 10.30am-8.30pm, Sun 10.30am-8pm. Rm 09A, B1/F, Euro Plaza, 99 Yuxiang Lu, Tianzhu, Shunyi District (8046 2524) 顺义区天竺镇裕翔路99号欧陆广场地下1层09A

Xiaomi 小米净水器
www.xiaomi-mi.com/mi-water/xiaomi-mi-water-purifier

Watsons Water 屈臣氏蒸馏水
(6330 9966, 2660 6688) www.watsons-water.com

Photo: Mauricio Alves (Flickr)

This article originally appeared on pages 32-33 of the 2016 Home and Relocation Guide. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

When we talk about air pollution, it’s usually the physical effects we worry about. Yet a growing body of research suggests that we should also be concerned about the impact on our emotional wellbeing. Numerous studies have found a correlation between poor air quality and mental health problems. Because of the complexity of the factors involved, scientists are wary of suggesting a direct link. But Jane, a mother and teacher from Australia who has been living in Beijing since last year, certainly recognises the relationship between the two.

“The first thing I do in the morning is look out of the window,” she says. “If I see clear sky, I know it’s going to be a good day. If I see smog, I know things are going to be tough. On bad days I just want to crawl back to bed. If I could I’d just lie there and wait for it to pass.” For Jane, it can be hard to disentangle physical and mental effects. “I feel burning in my eyes. That might be real, but it becomes bigger in my  mind. I can feel damage happening to my eyes, my skin.”

She finds too that anti-pollution devices become psychological crutches. “I have the purifier running non-stop,” she says. “And although it’s a horrible thing to have to wear a mask when you go out, I always make sure I have it, because it’s become something to hold onto. I had really severe headaches until I started wearing a second mask. I don’t know whether wearing two masks really helps or whether it’s just psychological.”

Michelle, also a mother and a teacher, grew up in an industrial town in the north of England, and thought she was used to grey skies. But a bout of bronchitis triggered a psychological malaise that lasted months. “I’d always been an active person, but I just didn’t want to go out and socialize,” she says. “My new hobby was pizza and Netflix!”

Jane agrees that it is easy to become isolated. “When it’s polluted and you can’t go out, for a week, two weeks, it’s terrible. Even if I have the energy to leave the apartment, my friends don’t. All our social arrangements fall apart. Everyone’s just hanging onto their air purifiers.”

When you’re feeling low, it gets harder to maintain a fitness regime. “Going for a walk with the dog used to be a daily thing, a way to breathe and relax,” Jane says. “Now I’m too worried to exercise outside, even to walk fast. I don’t want to move faster because I know I’ll use my lungs more, inhale more.”

Unhealthy eating and drinking habits can be another problem. “Your body feels like it’s fighting an infection, so you have the urge to eat more,” Michelle says. “And you want to eat fresh food, but you feel like it’s contaminated.” Both Jane and Michelle talk about increased use of alcohol. “I suppose I was self-medicating,” Michelle admits.

So depression can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle, which then further reduces energy and confidence, in what threatens to become a vicious circle.

We talked to Rachel Heffield about this issue. Rachel is a professional clinical counselor from the US, who has lived in Beijing for over seven years.  Since 2014 she has been part of the mental health team at International SOS’s Beijing clinic.

“It’s wise to take appropriate precautions with mental health, just as you would to protect your physical health,” Heffield tells us. “One of the significant ways that pollution affects mental health is through the anxiety it causes for parents and the ways that it may limit normal activities. It’s a good to check our own attitudes and words as the AQI rises. Are we speaking words of fear and negativity? Or are we taking reasonable precautions and seeking to make the best of less than desirable conditions? This is an example of ‘problem-focused’ or ‘active’ coping.

“Another effect of pollution that we have observed working with our own patients is that it can trigger the symptoms of Seasonally Affective Disorder (SAD),” Heffield says. “Some individuals are significantly affected by the loss of sunlight for one or a number of days, and are often prone to depression and anxiety. Air pollution, especially when high, can cause the day to look overcast and gloomy, which can cause individuals who are susceptible to SAD to become triggered, especially if conditions continue for a number of days.”

Children will respond differently according to their age and level of understanding, Heffield tells us. She says that psychologically, very young children are not likely to have any concept of AQI, but they will pick up on the emotions of their caregivers. “Preschool and school age children begin to learn the lingo of air quality, masks, air purifiers, and red alerts. They may have their own fears or frustration at having their plans altered. Older kids and teens are likely to be more independent, so help them have good information and resources for steps to take when the air is bad and empower them to care for themselves.”

We ask her what warning signs we should be looking out for. “As parents, you likely know your own children best and what is normal for their behavior and moods,” says Heffield. “If you observe patterns of obsessing over the air quality, being fearful of going outdoors, expressing fear of getting sick, or other negative repercussions of pollution, then it would be a good time to talk to them about their fears, and consider whether these are becoming detrimental to their well-being.”

So what can we do, in practical terms, to keep ourselves and our children in good mental health at times of poor air quality? “Parents can help children cope by planning ahead and managing their own responses,” Heffield says. “If you want your child to wear a mask when the AQI is high, have fun, colored masks ready for each member of the family and make it part of the routine, as ordinary as putting on a coat when the weather is cold.”

On days when air quality confines families indoors, Heffield recommends having a basket of books and indoor games that are set aside for this time, or preparing a special treat. “Create an environment that is comfortable and well lit when pollution has turned the outside world to grey. It’s easy to feel a bit stir crazy, but look for ways to use the time at home as a gift rather than focusing on the negatives.”

And if parents are worried about the mental health of their children, what can they do? Heffield recommends calling in the experts if necessary. “Psychologists and counselors can meet with children or adults, to help you maintain mental health and navigate the ups and downs and unique challenges of life as an expat in Beijing. Your child’s teacher and school counselor can also be a great resource for feedback regarding any changes in a child’s mood or mental state and appropriate development.”

We ask Jane what strategies she uses to cope. “Crying,” she says, and then laughs. “Talking to friends and family, to people back home who care is good, but I have to be careful. If I complain too much, they just say ‘come home’, and that doesn’t help.”

Both Jane and Michelle agree that the best thing is a break; to go home or on holiday somewhere with less pollution. Jane also finds that she has come to appreciate what others take for granted. “When people back home complain that there’s nothing good on TV, I think, ‘but you have clean air, and clean water!’”

She is also more sympathetic to the challenges faced by native Beijingers. “It makes me sad when I see a baby in a pram, or little children walking by. In the end we’ll go home, but they’re growing up here, breathing this air day after day,” she says. “I admire people’s resilience. I’m not sure whether they don’t know about the risks, or don’t care, but on high pollution days I see them in in the park, chanting and dancing. Nothing stops them enjoying the simple things in life. It’s even made me more forgiving of spitting. Of course they have to spit when they’re inhaling all this poison!”

(Some names have been changed)

Resources

International SOS Beijing Clinic 北京国际(SOS)救援中心诊所
Mon-Fri 8am-8pm; Sat-Sun 9am-6pm. Emergency room 24 hours, daily. Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building, 16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District (6462 9112, china.inquiries@internationalsos.com) www.internationalsos.com 朝阳区新源里16号琨莎中心一座105室

This article originally appeared on pages 22-23 of the beijingkids March 2016 issue. Click here to read the issue for free on Issuu.com. To find out how you can get your own copy, email distribution@truerun.com

Photo: Vallentin Ottone (flickr)

Cambridge Mask

Using Ministry of Defense technology originally conceived for protection against chemical, biological, and nuclear warfare, Cambridge Mask products were independently certified N99, which means they filter over 99 percent of particulate matter.

RMB 175 (non-valve), RMB 215 (valve). Available online at www.cambridgemask.com and select stores in Beijing.

Totobobo Classic

Singapore-made Totobobo masks were redesigned last year for better fit and adjustability, but retain the trim-to-size feature that makes them suitable for kids as young as 5.

RMB 208. Available online at totobobo.tmall.com.

Vogmask

The microfiber Vogmasks boasts the most patterns and colors of any mask company, with sizes for babies, children, teens, and adults. Certified N99 by the Nelson Labs of America, Vogmask also claims to filter dust from construction sites, viruses, pollen, second-hand smoke, and 99.9 percent of bacteria.

RMB 180-225. Available online at vogmask.cn/shop and select stores in Beijing (see website for full list).

Alen BreatheSmart F700

Cleaning up to a whopping 90sqm of space, this best-selling Alen air purifier is one of the most powerful on the market.

RMB 6,980. Available at Renaud Air (400 820 2792, viva.zhao@renaudair.cn, www.renaudair.cn).

Smart Air Cannon Kit

Hands-down the most economical solution on the market, Smart Air purifiers consist of nothing more than a HEPA filter, fan, and strap. In addition to the original DIY kit, Smart Air China offers a more powerful cannon kit for cleaning larger spaces.

RMB 470. Available online at smartairfilters.com.

MayAir 401

The MayAir 401 HEPA air purifier is designed for residential use for up to 55sqm. Features include 99.9 percent filtration of PM 2.5, low power consumption, and a high air volume of 600m3/h.

RMB 6,280. Available through the Beijing office (www.mayair.com.cn, 400 809 8968).

3M N95 9001V

Disposable masks made by 3M are Dr. Richard Saint Cyr’s first choice for pollution protection thanks to their consistent performance in independent product tests. The 3M N95 9001V is available at stores like 7-Eleven and April Gourmet.

RMB 24 for a pack of three. Available online at 3m.tmall.com and at select stores in Beijing.

Amaircare XR100

Amaircare includes the first air purifier we’ve seen so far for car and travel use. The portable XR100 comes with a DC plug and mounting strap, and can be used with an AC adaptor.

RMB 3,290. Available through Villa Lifestyles (www.villalifestyles.cn, 8447 5800).

The Laser Egg by Origins Technology

Since its introduction last year, the Laser Egg has become a must-have for many families. Measuring PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels in real time, the indoor AQI monitor can transmit data wirelessly to smartphones and issue an alert when the air quality exceeds a preset threshold.

RMB 499. Available through the WeChat store (account name: OriginsTech), the Origins office in Beixinqiao, and select locations around Beijing (visit www.originstech.com for a full list).

This article originally appeared on page 16-17 of the beijingkids March 2016 issue. Click here to read the issue for free on Issuu.com. To find out how you can get your own copy, email distribution@truerun.com

Photos: Courtesy of Cambridge, Totobobo, Vogmask, Alen, Smart Air, MayAir, 3M, Amaircare, and Origins