Asians wearing surgical masks has become somewhat of a stereotype, especially after the SARS outbreak when pictures of large groups of Asian people wearing surgical masks as they went about their daily routine became a common sight. Now, surgical masks are a recommended accessory for those traveling to Beijing, though for a different reason. Rather than to protect from disease, the masks are now necessary to protect the wearers from the negative effects of air pollution, according to Business Week.
In addition to just facemasks, many people in China are also investing in air filters. Chinese office workers spend 80 percent of their time indoors, but Beijing's office buildings are poorly insulated allowing smog to seep inside.
China has also suffered a recent scandal regarding the government's failure to properly regulate water bottles, so a water filter is another recommended travel device.
While China has had recent successes in building modern infrastructure such as airports and highways, they have also have several recent failures in what could be the very important small details of modernization, such as clean air and water. This has resulted in an attitude of controlling those aspects of daily life on an individual basis, which, in the case of travelers, means a lot more details to consider when planning a trip to China.
Pollution in China, in Beijing and other major cities, is getting worse despite governmental focus on the problem. The Chinese Meteorological Administration released data showing that in 2013, major cities in China suffered the worst smog in 52 years in March. As the middle class continues to grow, this problem is likely to expand, not lessen, resulting in pollution developing as a major political issue in China.
A disturbing fact was discovered in a recent study by Greenpeace East Asia and the Public Health Faculty of Peking University when they found that arsenic, a known carcinogen that results as a byproduct of burning coal, is a major component of the Beijing smog. The amount of coal burned has roughly doubled from 2000 to 2010, compounding the problem.
For those traveling to China and in need of a mask, a member of an environmental nonprofit in Beijing recommends "a Sportsta mask made by Respro, a U.K. company which has a replaceable filter, which you can replace every two to three months with regular use." The mask isn't recommended for women, however, because it runs large and the masks should be "a snug fit." There is also Taobao.com, China's leading e-retailer, which sells masks, though the web site is in Chinese.
It is enough to make a person reconsider a trip to China, but if you go, don't forget your mask and water filter.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
