April 2010

Air Quality in Shanghai
AFTER TWO DECADES OF economic growth, air pollution represents one of the many environmental consequences in both the city and countryside. So how bad is the quality of the air in China? Are there things we can do in our everyday lives and environment to improve the air we breathe? We hope we can help answer these types of questions here.


Air Quality Basics
Ozone: Ozone gas is a major part of air pollution in cities. “Good” ozone - which protects us from the sun’s ultraviolet rays - occurs about 10 to 30 miles above the earth’s surface. “Bad” ozone occurs at the ground level. It forms when pollutants from cars, factories and other sources chemically react with sunlight. This type of ozone is the main ingredient in smog. Breathing bad ozone can be harmful, causing coughing, throat irritation and the worsening of asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. Unfortunately, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from air pollution.

Air Quality Measurement: When it’s hazy outside, it’s usually due to high levels of particulate matter, which includes acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles less than 10 microns in diameter. The standard measurement for particulate matter is PM 10. Agencies like the United States Environmental Protection Agency are concerned about these smaller particles because they can usually pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and have a negative effect on our health.

To help you better understand air quality measurement and the implications, the European Union stipulates that any PM 10 reading above 40 micrograms is unsafe. US regulations allow for a PM 10 of up to 50 micrograms. The Shanghai Environment Monitoring Center offers daily reports on air quality. In Shanghai last July, the PM 10 levels were at acceptable US standards for about half of the month. Other days were in the 60 to 70 range with several spikes into the 80s. As a comparison, in general, the air pollution in Shanghai is twice that in Los Angeles - the second largest city in the US. According to data from the New York Times series, “Choking on Growth,” Los Angeles has the worst air quality in the United States, with 13 million in its metropolitan area.

Seasons: According to the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau, Shanghai’s air quality is the best from June to September thanks to wind direction and tropical cyclones. Air quality tends to decline between the months of November and February.


A Push for Change
The good news is that China has been better than most other countries in curbing pollution and given attention to the environment at a much earlier stage of development than the United States, Europe or Japan. This is promising news for the Chinese and the increasing number of foreigners who come to live here.

China’s environmental program has had notable successes in reducing industrial air and water pollutant emissions and reversing deforestation. China has planted millions of trees and expanded the use of natural gas to reduce emissions. We have also seen recent enactments of stricter air pollution control laws and major new incentives and investments in renewable energy. China is also welcoming considerable international assistance to help the country address air pollution problems.


The Air Filter- A First Step
Even with the push for change, there are still many things that we can do to make the air we breathe better. As a first step why not change the air at home? Between DVD marathons, avoiding the extreme summer heat and getting a few extra Zzz’s we spend quite a bit of our time at home. Investing in an air filter can help clean the dust and solvents from all sorts of paints that can quickly get trapped in our homes.

Types of plants that can help improve your home’s air quality
According to Dr. Yong Lee, VP of Medical Staff at ParkwayHealth, keeping your home full of tropical dark green house plants is another inexpensive way to keep the air clean. A study from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the US and Associated Landscape Contractors of America found that common houseplants such as bamboo palms help to remove formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide that come from building materials and paints. For an average home of around 2,000 square feet or 185 square meters, the study recommended 15 plants throughout the house.

Here is a list of plants with their common and scientific names:
Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifritzii Chinese Evergreen – Aglaonema Modestum
Janet Craig – Draceana “Janet Craig”
Marginata – Draceana Marginata
Mass Cane/Corn Plant – Draceana Massangeana
Mother-in-Law’s – Tongeu Sansevieria Laurentii


Portable Air Cleaners
Another way to clean the air in your home is through a portable air cleaner. These cleaners pull airborne particulates and pollutants into a filter. In Shanghai, you can buy top-of-the-line European brands as well as locally made cleaners, but you’ll need to clean them more often because the capacity for air filtration isn’t as high. For the more budget conscious, Shanghai resident J. Thrivikraman said their family decided to purchase IQ Air units after a mold problem developed at their former residence. “We spend a lot of time at home so it’s very important for our daughter to have good air,” said Thrivikraman who will soon be a mother of two. Their new unit has eliminated the strong odor of formaldehyde from a safe they recently installed. Formaldehyde is a common chemical found in particle board or pressed wood products used in manufacturing of the office furniture. It is also used in consumer paper products which have been treated with UF resins, including grocery bags, waxed papers, facial tissues and paper towels.

Dr. Yong Lee is US Board Certified and Vice President of Medical Services at ParkwayHealth.