Why I'm Leaving China
chinageeks.org - 
From Charlie Custer: "By the time you're reading this post, I'm on a plane with my wife, bound for the United States, where we plan to live at least for the immediate future. I generally attempt to avoid getting personal with this blog, but in light of some recent events I thought I'd take a moment to explain my reasons."
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I lived for a while in Beijing in '07 & '08 and the air was not great, but it kept improving and was no worse than some other places. Having spend the occasional week or two in Beijing in the last year or two on business I agree, the air is horrid. I mean TOTALLY BAD. I cannot believe anyone is breathing this stuff any more than strictly unavoidable.
I have travelled widely and spend time in some of the worst air quality rated cities, with great strain on my memory even the worst pollution I experienced in the 80's growing up in communist eastern europe (it was bad, take my word) does not remotely compare. Definitely time to get out ouf Beijing, of if you have to live there, get air cleaning systems for home and office and stay indoors most days.
The same for food safety. Big cities are getting really bad, if you have a real, old-fashioned market nearby, frequent it, ask where the food comes from and "meet your meat" while still alive. I avoid overly processed food in the west, when in China I make it a religious observation. I also try not to eat more than twice a month in restaurants... There are exposure limits...
So I understand the two big Reasons CC cited for making like a Tree and Leaf... Still sad to see him leaving Beijing.
All the best on your way Brother and be safe (it seems the Air in American Cinema's is getting to be a little thick too), hope you will be back one day...