Beijing’s air sucks. Air purifiers cost upwards of 11,000 rmb ($1,800). The average Beijing worker gets 4,672 rmb ($763) a month.
Here’s how to make your own air purifier at home for $32:
Take a simple household fan (120 rmb/$19), strap on an inexpensive HEPA filter (80 rmb/$13), and you can remove over 90% of PM 2.5.
DIY Air Purifier
I attended a DIY air purifier workshop, by SmartAir, a few individuals that just want to breathe better air in Beijing, who started by counting particles to see how well their first DIY ghetto filter worked. Turns out pretty well.
Check out my air filter. I’ll be comparing picture week-to-week, to see how bad the circle of black becomes.
My filter at home in Beijing.
Find out more about which masks are the best if you’re living in Beijing on Dr. Richard Saint Cyr’s comparison of pollution masks on MyHealthBeijing.com. Dr. Saint Cyr works for Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics, where I work, but I happen to think he’s compiled a lot of great information. Try it out for yourself, and let us know!