Smog Update

Before Christmas and during the whole period into Chinese New Year the smog in Suzhou was horrific. There were days when the AQI was higher than Shanghai and Beijing. Highly ridiculous as we specifically avoided these larger cities due to the smog. Ironic really to be in this small city that cannot be compared in anyway to Shanghai and Beijing and we were suffering to a greater extent. It makes no sense at all.

Returning from Chinese New Year and having lived through ridiculous pollution we are now rather ecstatic when the pollution is merely "very unhealthy" which is an AQI between 200 - 300. Amazing how perceptions change so quickly. Recently we have even experienced an AQI of under 100, bliss. 

Some families have chosen to leave rather than renew their contracts at school due to the pollution and the school has had some new recruits pull out. The pollution is vastly improved yet it does have an impact on your life. I used to exercise religiously 6 times a week and now I have to check the AQI as I rather like being able to use my lungs. The pollution will certainly be a deciding factor on our decision when my contract comes to an end.

My husband has begun to look at pollution maps of the world and I believe that he will be highly instrumental in deciding where we will move to next as he is a former Ironman and finds the restrictiveness of the pollution quite repressive. It obviously impacts on his ability to train for another Ironman and that is especially important to him.

The school where I work is one of I believe 3 International High Schools in Suzhou. Before Christmas when the pollution was so horrific we were in a full staff meeting and were promised that air purifiers were on order for every classroom and masks for all students and staff. The entire staff applauded and cheered. I know that at least one other school has done this and may have perhaps done this before the establishment at which I am employed. I am grateful for the measures that have been taken but it is incredibly difficult for a school to combat pollution in all areas when there are corridors, large open spaces and numerous doors without good seals. Despite this I am disappointed that none of the rooms in which I teach have an air purifier yet and I was expecting it back in December.

I think I feel somewhat jaded after colleagues who have experienced extreme pollution in other areas receiving far better recompense. Air purifiers installed in apartments, the school closing when it was extreme and staff being given flights anywhere to go and clear their lungs. Sounds to be good to be true but apparently it happened. Some International Schools see us all as being replaceable and others see the value in retaining good staff. It's all the luck of the draw.