YES—BUT The Most Harmful Air Particles Are Still at Unhealthy Levels
By Katherine Sliney
Published July 25, 2018
Fine particle (PM 2.5) pollution is the most harmful type of air pollution
24-hour average small particle pollution levels according to EPA standards
Sources: U.S. Department of State and @BeijingAir
Concentrations of tiny, airborne particles (2.5 micrometers in diameter or less) pose the greatest health risks because of their ability to become lodged in the lungs, once inhaled. Long-term exposure to these fine particles increases the chance of death from heart and lung disease.
PM 2.5 data is tweeted out by the US Embassy in Beijing’s air monitoring station. The health risks identified are based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index (AQI) guidelines.