Beijing Air Pollution

As a non-cigarette smoker, I was curious to see what the health effects were, with regards to respiratory problems, of cities with current air pollution problems.  Air pollution within the United States has been regulated, and measures have been taken to decrease air pollution levels to relatively healthy levels.  However, while measures are being taken globally, not all countries have the same standards as the United States.  In a city like Beijing, which has taken measures to cut down their air pollution, due to the 2008 Olympic Games, current levels of air pollution are still detrimental to the average citizen.  This article discusses how the particulate matter in the air pollution in Beijing is comparable to smoking 1/6 of a cigarette for every day spent doing normal activities in the city. For smokers and non-smokers alike, extra particulate matter in one's respiratory system is never a good thing, unless you're pro-respiratory problems.