I am still shocked about the huge amount of people running around Beijing during air alert without protection. Even more shocking, it is getting quite common to see people wearing masks although the AQI is below 30.

Stay informed: There are useful apps for your tablet or phone like Air Quality or 蓝pi等风. Many apps are for free and they provide comprehensive information. All you have to do is press the download button and check every morning before you leave the house.

Use air purifiers: There should not be a single Beijing family without air purifiers at home. At least you should clean the air in your bedroom before going to sleep on an AQI 500+ day. Many international companies have already joined the air purifier business, but there are also smaller start-ups like Smart Air, offering effective air purifiers at a reasonable price.

Wear masks. Many companies produce effective masks. 3M, Totobobo, Draeger, just to name a few. I see many people on the street with thin cloth masks. They look cute and keep the face warm, but won’t protect any lungs. Bigger masks can be used for a longer time as the filters can be removed and the mask washed, resulting in less waste. In fact, the argument against effective masks I hear most often is that they look ugly. I didn’t know that I was supposed to make a fashion statement on my daily way to the office…

This blog is not meant to be product placement, but people should know their options. Actually most of the ways to protect ourselves from air pollution are affordable. Let's think more about it in 2016.