before and after the rain in Beijing… 5:00pm August 9th and 11:00am August 10th
air pollution is measured at the US Embassy in Beijing, about 20 minutes from my apartment in traffic:
8-12-2011 4:00pm pm 2.5, 161.0; 211, Very Unhealthy// Ozone 58.2;49 Good
These measurements are “calculated according to US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) guidelines,” where “anything above 100 is a cause for concern.” So the index of 211 is rated as “very unhealthy” (see information below). For more information you can view the US Embassy’s twitter feed or http://www.toranacleanair.com/BeijingAirQualityFeed.html
0-50 Good
51-100 Moderate (Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion)
101-150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion)
151-200 Unhealthy (People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion)
201-300 Very Unhealthy (People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion)
Hack, wheeze! breathe…