USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
常用电话号码 

 

AMBULANCE	120	救护(Jiuhu)
POLICE EMERGENCY	110	报警(Baojing)
PHONE MALFUNCTION	112	电话故障(Dianhuaguzhang)
SHANGHAI TELECOM	10000	电信服务(Dianxingfuwu)
CHINA MOBILE	1860	中国移动(Zhongguoyidong)
CHINA UNICOM	1001	中国联通(Zhongguoliantong)
DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE	114	电话咨询(Dianhuazixun)
TIME	117	报时服务(Baoshifuwu)
FIRE	119	火警(Huojing)
WEATHER REPORT	12121	天气预报(Tianqiyubao)
DETAILED WEATHER  REPORT	969221	详细天气预报(Xiangxitianqiyubao)
ELECTRIC POWER	95598	供电报修(Gongdian Baoxiu)
WATER PEPAIRING	962323	自来水报修(Zilaishui Baoxiu)
GAS REPAIRING	962777	煤气急修(Meiqi Jixiu)
AIRLINES INQUIRY(Hongqiao)	6268-8918	虹桥机场问询(Hongqiao Jichang Wenxun)
AIRLINES INQUIRY(Pudong)	3848-4500	浦东机场问询(Pudong Jingchang Wenxun)
POST CODE	184	邮政编码问询(Youzhengbianma Wenxun)
EXERESS MAIL	185	邮政特快专递(Youzhengbianma Zhuand)

Poison Control Numbers

Shanghai  4295 1860 (not 24hrs) only Chinese speaking
Beijing (10) 6313 1122 (not 24hrs) only Chinese speaking
National Poison Control Center, U.S.A.     1-800-222-1222

Drinking Water Safety In Shanghai

Shanghai has inconsistent quality of its water distribution networks. In the older parts of the city, for example, the aging iron pipes slough off more debris. In fact, iron is likely the cause to give the water its yellow color. But according to the World Health Organization, iron is "of no direct consequence to health at the concentrations at which they normally occur in water."

While Shanghai's water is potable, the presence of chemicals is enough to turn many consumers to bottled water. But this is problematic, as well. Store bought bottled water is expensive, inconvenient, and concerns exist about the leaking of chemicals from the plastic into the water. And the large delivery jugs can be contaminated en route.

Even more, disposable water bottles have an enormous environmental impact. According to the Container Recycling Institute, the energy used to produce bottled water would be enough to power 190,000 American homes and 100,000 cars per year.

The most efficient solution, then, is for consumers to treat their own tap water. Here are a few of the approaches, each designed to treat different water problem.

1. 1. A water softener removes calcium and magnesium, the main minerals that make water "hard" and  prevent soap lathering, and cause scaly deposits on pipes. This is usually done on a whole building so may not be an option unless you own.
   


2. 2. Activated carbon filters treat general taste and odor problem and will remove chlorine, some chemicals, mercury, large parasites, and particulates. Most faucet filters and jug filters (Brita is a popular brand) are this type.
   


3. 3. Ozone filters kill certain chlorine resistant protozoa like giardia and cryptosporidium.
   


4. 4. A reverse osmosis system pushes water through an ultra-fine semi-permeable membrane. But the filtration is so comprehensive that all minerals and nutritional value are removed. It is so pure the water can actually leach essential nutrients from your body.
   

American Edward Yu did extensive research on locally available filter options for his family's residence. He attached carbon filters to shower and bathtub faucets to counteract the chlorine's effects on hair and skin. And for drinking water, he installed a multiple-cartridge system that combines activated carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, ozone treatment, and a re-mineralizer all in a single unit that under the kitchen sink. (Find Yu's recommendations on the Yahoo! Group "Shanghaimamas.")

It is a good idea to change the cartidges and filters more frequently than recommended. "Using a spent filter can actually worsen the quality of the output water," the British engineer says. "So expert that the filters will last about 25-40% less here than they would in a Western country."

His advice actually speaks to the real issue in China – severe environmental pollution. And that's not something any filter can counteract.
 
Air Quality in Shanghai

You can check Shanghai's air quality at www.envir.on-line.sh.cn/eng/Airep/index.asp. The site reports the daily concentrations per cubic meter of three components of air pollution:

PM10: Particles up to 10 microns. There pose the greatest health risk because they can get deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream. Shanghai's typical daily PM10 score is usually around 70-90. The World Health Organization standard is 150.

SO2: Sulfur dioxide, most of which comes from coal-burning electric utilities.

NO2: Nitrogen oxides which from primarily during fuel combustion in motor vehicles, electric utilities and fuel-burning sources. Both SO2 and NO2 contribute to ozone and acid rain.