U.S. Consulate Chengdu Air Quality Monitor
U.S. Consulate Chengdu Air Quality Monitor
The U.S. Consulate in Chengdu has an air quality monitor to measure PM 2.5 particulates as an indication of the air quality in the area surrounding its Lingshiguan Road offices. Pollutants such as particle pollution are linked to a number of significant health effects -- and those effects are likely to be more severe for sensitive populations, including people with heart or lung disease, children, and older adults. This monitor is a resource for the health of the American community. Citywide analysis cannot be done, however, on data from a single machine.
Particulates less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM 2.5) are referred to as “fine” particulates and are believed to pose the largest health risks. PM 2.5 is a standard recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and allows us to compare against U.S. standard measures. PM 2.5 particulates are of concern since they are small enough to directly enter the lungs and even the blood stream. For more information, please visit the EPA site.
The U.S. EPA has developed a formula to convert PM 2.5 readings into an air quality index (AQI) value that can help inform health-related decisions. For example, an AQI value of 50 represents good air quality with little potential to affect public health, while an AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality. Please note that AQI is different from the Air Pollution Index (API) used in China. For more information on AQI and how it is calculated, please click here.
The monitor's measurements, expressed in the form of PM 2.5 concentration (micrograms per cubic meter, µg/m3) and corresponding AQI, are available at http://twitter.com/cgchengduair.
| Air Quality Index (AQI) | PM2.5 Health Advisory |
Good (0-50) |
None |
Moderate (51-100) |
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. |
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150) |
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. |
| Unhealthy (151-200) |
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion; everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. |
| Very Unhealthy (201-300) |
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. |
| Hazardous (301-500) |
Everyone should avoid all physical activity outdoors; people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should remain indoors and keep activity levels low. |
The Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection provides its own air quality data for cities throughout China. You can view this information at http://english.mep.gov.cn.
Translation: Chinese