Hazardous Air

What more can be said. 

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From the US Embassy air monitoring station:  

BEIJING AIR

• 2/20/2012 8:00:00 PM
  02-20-2012; 20:00; PM2.5; 254.0; 304; Hazardous (at 24-hour exposure at this level) // Ozone; 0.0; 0; No Reading

U.S Embassy Beijing Air Quality Monitor

The U.S. Embassy has an air quality monitor to measure PM 2.5 particulates on the Embassy compound as an indication of the air quality.   This monitor is a resource for the health of the Mission community.  Citywide analysis cannot be done, however, on data from a lone machine. 

Particulates less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM 2.5) are referred to as “fine” particulates and are believed to pose the largest health risks.  PM 2.5 is a standard recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and allows us to compare against U.S. standard measures.  PM 2.5 particulates are of concern since they are small enough to get into the lungs and even the blood stream.  For more information, please visit the EPA sitehttp://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/pm/pm25_index.html.