This is Randi Hacker with another Postcard from Asia from the KU Center for East Asian Studies.

Not that long ago, coal smoke made the air here in Beijing so caustic that your nasal passages were seared with each breath. Those were the good old days: Car ownership was limited to government officials and the rest of the population rode bikes. These days, the number of private cars has skyrocketed and it’s not unusual to see a pollutant measurement of 500 on a scale in which 20 is considered acceptable. Chen Guangbiao, a recycling millionaire, recently stood on the streets handing out free cans of Fresh Air that he claims comes from pristine regions of China such Xinjiang. Sure this stunt is tongue in cheek but Chen hopes it will raise awareness and inspire action. Meanwhile, pop your top and breathe up!

From the KU Center for East Asian Studies, this is Randi Hacker. Wish you were here.