It’s those hazy mornings when the skyscrapers are barely visible that you realize just how bad Shanghai’s air really is. Sixteen of the world’s most polluted cities are in China, reports the World Bank, and a look around proves Shanghai’s no peach. It’s a given that bad air has an impact on health, but is there anything we can do to reverse the effects?

Dr. Yong Lie Lee, ParkwayHealth family physician, explains that polluting particles come in two forms: PM10, from dust and construction residue, and PM2.5, from combustion engines and factories. He tells us that PM10 particles are easily eliminated through coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose, but that PM2.5 sneaks its way into the bloodstream via the respiratory system and cannot be coughed up or trapped out by drugstore face masks. Pollution-china.com sells RESPRO masks, which they claim do block out the particles, sized for adults and teens for RMB279-399.

PM2.5 causes bronchitis and shortness of breath and can aggravate allergies and other breathing problems. Cases of asthma in Shanghai have gone up fivefold over the past 20 years, because of PM2.5.

The government refuses to release statistics on how many PM2.5 particulates are in Shanghai’s air, but the overall pollution level stands at 200 microns per cubic meter. Compare this to LA’s 40 microns, and the EU’s benchmark of 20, and the city doesn’t come out looking great. Dr. Lee advises that people limit outdoor time on particularly smoggy days. “Early morning is the safest time to be outside,” he says, “as the particles haven’t had time to settle.”

He suggests investing in a free-standing air purifier, which you can get on Taobao starting at RMB250 and from IQAir for RMB10,800-16,980.

Many Shanghailanders believe that living in the ’burbs means better air, but that isn’t necessarily the case. “Although there are more parks and fewer cars, these districts are home to many of the city’s factories, so you don’t escape pollution altogether,” says Dr. Lee. “Both official and unofficial figures state that air quality differs from area to area on a daily basis, so it’s nigh on impossible to escape the smog.”

Shanghai’s poor air quality and its effect on the respiratory system is a perennial concern, but take precautions and you can protect yourself.

Does the air quality in Shanghai concern you? What steps are you taking to make sure you're staying healthy?

Want to read more about air pollution in China? See this article from one of our favorite China health blogs, My Health Beijing.