Opening the window and seeing rolling gray smog is a frequent reality in Beijing and other major cities in China. Whether emanating from vehicle exhaust pipes or the thick plumes of black smoke rising from industrial smokestacks, air pollution has become one of the key frustrations of China's urban residents. With the increasing frequency of smoggy days, the spotlight on the issue has never burned brighter. Terms like PM2.5 levels (solid particles and water/oil based aerosols less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter) are no longer restricted to scientists. Smart phone apps that allow users to check pollutant levels help anyone with an Internet connection know when the air quality is moderate, unhealthy or just plain dangerous.

As a visitor to China, walking through the streets on a smoggy day, when buildings appear smudged and the blurred monotony is broken up only by an occasional brake light or lantern, can be an almost eerie experience. Those who have come from cleaner climates will undoubtedly need time to adjust to the new setting, but apart from moving slowly, avoiding exercising outside, breathing shallowly and staying indoors as much as possible (all of which can become impractical), there are ways to "lessen" the pollution impact. Face masks are an option, especially if you're going to be riding a bike - whether the surgical white gauze variety or the more useful filtered masks capable of removing lung-irritating particulate matter. Some of the more advanced masks, made from sturdy plastic, with ventilators on each side, recall Darth Vader and the Star Wars stormtroopers. There is no foolproof system to totally prevent pollutants from entering your lungs, unless you want to walk around wearing a fireman's mask connected to an oxygen tank strapped to your back.

Pollution can also play havoc with the eyes, causing a scratchy feeling - especially for those with contact lenses. Keep a bottle of eye drops handy to fight off red, watery eyes, and carry a bottle of water with you to sip on when your throat becomes irritated. Taking subways as much as possible to limit your "on the street" time might also be a good idea.

Indoors, plants can help generate clean air, so use them as nature's purifiers, or, if you feel like shelling out more money, buy yourself an air purifier or humidifier to help make your apartment more habitable.

One other thing polluted skies can do is to make you really appreciate every "blue sky day" that comes around. China is taking steps to improve its air quality, but cleaning pollution is a slow process. In the meantime, just take it one breath at a time. CA