Smoggy AF: Your Complete Guide to Pollution in Beijing

Whether you're visiting Beijing, moving to Beijing, or already living here, everyone is equally affected by the frequent changes in air quality, and unfortunately, it's usually not always good news. To help you get through it, we've gathered our best articles. Read on to educate yourself on everything you need to know about those pesky PM2.5 particles that haunt our dreams.

Your Mask Don't Mean Sh*t If It Ain't Got That Fit
We took some of Beijinger's most popular masks for a test run to see just how well they protect your lungs. Almost all masks will block at least some particulate matter (even a simple cotton bandanna), but as we discovered in this post, it's not how much the mask costs that counts – it's really how well (and by well, we mean tightly) a mask fits around your face.

What Can You Do to Protect Your Fluffy Babies From the Bad Air?
We talked to Mary Peng of the ICVS about the effects of the pollution on your pets, and how you can protect your cute pets from the pollution on bad days. “As much as pollution can affect any of us, humans, it has the same dangerous effects on our pets. We see a lot of older animals, and the same concerns that we have for children, the elderly, and the already-compromised, we see those same patients in the animal kingdom," she says. Thankfully there are measures you can take at home to protect your fluffy baby.

Does Your Favorite F&B Establishment Filter Its Air?
A handy guide to help you determine where is safe to wine and dine when AQI levels are particularly high. If you'd rather do something other than eat and drink, you can also check out one of Beijing's many cinemas or go for a crazy KTV session.

Airing Your Problems: Addressing the Mental Health Effects of Pollution
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.

D for Dense Bones: Vitamin D Will Keep You Healthy This Winter
Vitamin D is produced naturally in our skin when exposed to the rays of the sun, which can be hard to come by when living through Beijing's smoggy winter months. It has an important role in taking the calcium from the food we eat into the body, which is necessary to make our bones strong, our muscles contract, and also helps our body fight against infections, among other things.

AirVisual Node Measures PM2.5 and CO2
The AirVisual Node, which came out earlier this year, was a game changer in that it not only measures PM2.5 levels, but also tells us the levels of something we frequently forget to keep an eye on: CO2. When the air is really bad, and the windows are shut for an extended period of time, CO2 from exhalations can build up quickly, leading to drowsiness and lethargy.

The Origins Laser Egg
Another nifty PM2.5 particule measurer is the Beixinqiao-based Origins Laser Egg, has now practically become a Beijing household item. Learn more about the Laser Egg and its functions inside. If you're looking to buy air filters second hand, check out our classifieds here.

Recent Air Pollution News of Note

• Pollution-Busting Tower Falls Short of Promise
• Can Beijing's New Water Cannons Super Soak the Skies Blue?
• Is Your Air Purifier Among the 25 Percent Found to be Substandard?
• Three Quarters Through 2016, Beijing's Air 10 Percent Better Than Last Year
• A Vintage Whine: Beijing's Bad Air Days
• Beijing Winter Essentials: Survival Items to Kick Mother Nature’s Frigid and Merciless Arse

Monitoring Websites for Real-Time Information:

• AirVisual
• World AQI

More stories by this author here.

Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
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Images: ibtimes, abc.net.au, independent.co.uk, femmesansenfant.com, courtesy of AirVisual, qdaily.com