What to Do When Visiting a Smoggy City

Some places are tough to visit because of environmental factors, like air pollution, but that doesn’t have to stop you from crossing a city off your bucket list. Here’s what you can do to protect yourself while still enjoying your destination.

You probably already know some good things to do, such as planning indoor activities to stay out of the smog, like visiting museums, or seeking out green spaces and parks for some fresh air, but here are a few additional, less-obvious tips to stay healthy during your trip:

Wear a mask that is rated N90 or above. This means the mask blocks out 90% of airborne particulates. You might not be used to wearing a mask, but if you’re visiting a city known for its smog, you won’t be the only person wearing one.

Stay indoors if particulate matter ratings is higher than 2.5. You can check the air quality of your destination here, AQI over 200 means you should think about staying inside in an air conditioned environment, or taking a car if you need to travel between locations.

Have a clean-up routine when you get back to your hotel. Wash your face, including inside your nose, and brush off your clothes (maybe in the hotel hallway) to remove dirt and other pollutants as soon as you get back to where you’re staying. Take a shower if you like, to get them out of your hair or off of your skin as well

Some of these may seem overboard, but if you have a respiratory illness, allergies, or asthma, or you’re just sensitive to air quality or just want to keep from getting sick, these small efforts can help. You still get to visit a city you’ve always wanted to see and experience the history and culture, nevermind the air pollution problems.