Breathless in Beijing: Irene Hong, Managing Director of China eCapital

Kyle Mullin | Jan 12, 2016 11:00 am | Add a comment | 2342 reads | Sponsored by MayAir

In this portion of MayAir’s sponsored series, we interview members of Beijing’s international community about what they think and how they deal with the capital’s pollution woes.

Beijing’s winters can feel like a marathon session of stifling smog. This is especially true for avid runners like Irene Hong, who love to lace up and sprint on a regular basis but find themselves stuck indoors on high AQI days. Below Hong, the Managing Director at China eCapital, tells us more about how the pollution wreaks havoc with her exercise schedule and more, as we continue our series of articles about Beijingers who struggle to breathe easier.

I don’t exercise with a mask. I know many people like to wear one while biking, but I find it difficult and uncomfortable to do so. When the AQI is above 200 our group cancels the run we had planned.

Neither myself or my kids have had overt reactions to the pollution so far. I know some kids who have become asthmatic from it, and some adults feel bad from it. But up to now my kids have not had issues. That doesn't mean our exposure isn’t harming us of course, we just don’t have any symptoms so far.

A few of my friends sealed their door recently, because they realized their foyer was drafty. I’ll keep buying air purifiers. But it’s terrible that my apartment’s AQI can often be up to 150, when most American cities top out at 30.

I’m from the Bay Area, but I spend most of my time in China. When you leave Beijing and then you have exposure to fresh, clean air it’s quite difficult to come back. When you spend a lot of time here you learn to get used to it, which is sad.

Like every Beijinger, I enjoy a blue-sky day. But it’s so odd that we have to appreciate and note when the sky is blue, or when we can spend time outside and kids can play on the playground.

I first came to Beijing in the 90s, when the problem with coal was so bad that you’d wipe your face and your hand would be black. It became better after the Olympics for a while, but recently it’s become really bad again.

I also worry about gases like carbon monoxide, and not just PM2.5. What effect will those other gasses have, and how bad could those effects be?

Some international schools take strong measures against the pollution. ISB has a nice dome, which is good for kids. My son goes to Daystar, and he gets frustrated on days when the pollution is bad because they have to stay in the classroom, and he finds it boring and restrictive. I think it’s great to put kids in the dome, but not every school has the resources to do that. On smoggy days like we’ve had recently, I’d really appreciate kids having a safe place to play.

Before, air purifiers were thought of as a luxury. Now it’s pretty much a prerequisite. I’ve read about that company that made cheap purifiers by strapping HEPA filters to fans. My friend put one in his car, and as I drive around recently I start to think that that’s really not a bad idea.

I can’t think of a specific song that would be my “smoggy day soundtrack.” But anything that sounds apocalyptic, or reminds you of doomsday, would work.

Here’s How to Protect Yourself and Breathe Easier
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