There’s good data showing that masks (including surgical masks) really can stop pollution and even have demonstrated physiological benefits. Masks work. But one place data is lacking is for air pollution mask lifespan. Just how long do air pollution masks really last? Really Just One Day? I frequently …
A friend of mine just sent me this map of air pollution in San Francisco from the San Francisco Chronicle. Using the latest PM2.5 data, I created a map for China using the same scale: Based on that scale, China’s best city (which is Haikou, according to the World Health Organization database) …
A user on Quora asked recently how bad the air pollution in Nepal is. Nepal has glorious mountains and shining temples. But how is the air? I checked the World Health Organization’s global PM2.5 database. According to that database, Kathmandu’s PM2.5 particulate pollution averaged 49 micrograms/m3 in 2013: …
What is Asbestos? Asbestos is a mineral that makes a great fiber. People use that fiber in lots of building materials, like insulation, paints, electric wiring, wall boards, and floor tiles. It might be all around us. Should I Be Concerned? When any of these materials break apart, …
Asbestos in China is a commonly used building material, and it may be more dangerous than formaldehyde. So why do so few people talk about asbestos in China? Contrast that with other pollutants. One day a few years ago, a Chinese friend of mine asked me about jiaquan (甲醛). “Huh?” I …
During the winter pollution season in Beijing, everyone people get worried about the air pollution. I heard about this so much that I decided to make a meme out of it. But I see people who seem to think pollution takes a vacation for the summer. Take as an example …
Calvin Quek from Greenpeace analyzed how PM2.5 changes with depending on which way the wind is blowing in Shanghai: The data is simple. When the wind is coming from the industrialized areas to the west of Shanghai, toxic air pollution is more likely. When the wind blows in from the ocean, bad air days are much …
Here’s how we tested if the DIY could purify an entire room For fellow nerds, here are some more details on how the tests were conducted: The test above was done starting at 11:30 pm on 6/16/2013, when the outside AQI in Beijing was 230 according to the US embassy’s …
It’s nerd Christmas! The US Embassy’s 2016 PM2.5 data just came out. And there’s a surprise in the data from Beijing and the US Consulate in Chengdu: Chengdu just barely edged out Beijing for highest PM2.5. I had to go out to two decimal places to find that difference. How …
The US Embassy’s complete data for 2016 is now out! Smart Air analyzed the data to see if China’s air got any better in 2016. There are a few reasons to think 2016 was a good year. China has moved to tighten standards on gasoline and diesel and increase renewable …
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