Unmasking the issue of air pollution in China

With unhealthy air pollution levels on the rise in the Chinese megacity, Beijing, IOM led an integrated multidisciplinary study utilising expertise from exposure science, epidemiology, toxicology and toxicogenomics.

IOM studied the effectiveness of locally available facemasks to protect people against deadly air pollution. As a result, improved information on how to choose, how to wear and how to fit facemasks is available and is frequently circulated by the global media amongst the public - raising awareness of facemask protection limits.

IOM continues to rally and work with international governments and agencies to better understand and manage the sources of air pollution to improve the quality of air breathed by citizens.