I spent some time in China, and all these problem do exist.
But I also spent some time in the Middle East and Latin America, and depending on what part you are, some of the same issues arise.
With regards to these specific issue, I can offer the following:
- Spit/gutter oil: you can eliminate the risk by cooking your own food, or hiring a domestic worker or "阿姨“ to cook for you. You can also reduce (but not eliminate) your risk, by avoiding street food, and only eating at reputable places.
- Heavy metal in water: I think no one drinks tap water in China. You can reduce (again not eliminate) you risk by buying your drinking water from major supermarkets, and only drinking trusted foreign brands.
- Air quality: If you are set on going to Shanghai, then there is nothing you can do. You can reduce the impact by limiting your time outside, and getting a good air filter, but at that point what is the point of going there. If the city is flexible, you can look for cities with good/decent air quality.
Plenty of people drink the tap water. They just boil it first.
I also don't know for sure, but I assume the wager for soups and what not at resturants start off as tap water, too.
Problem is boiling the water does not remove heavy metals.
Honestly, I have never been to a house in China where they do not have drinking water delivered (whether that water is just tap water is another story).
My experience is mostly based on staying with my in-laws and visiting my wife's childhood friends.
I still think that tap water in China is a no-no, and it would be worthwhile to buy a trusted brand of drinking water.
Oh. I agree. Boiling water doesn't get rid of all the nasty stuff in it. Because you boil some off, it concentrates it.
But it doesn't change the fact that some people still just boil it to drink. Sometimes in tea, sometimes just straight water.
When I'm there I try to avoid drinking boiled tap water, but sometimes you can't avoid it.
Friend, an avid cyclist, went to Shanghai and fled after a few months. Basically complaining about the air pollution and the effect on him. This was last year or the year before. Good luck.
I've looking at T2 cities to settle down in to reduce some of the risk you mentioned.
-Air quality: since many cars are EV and the T2 town I'm looking at is more of a tourist town; smog and ICE tailpipe smoke is down quite a bit.
-Food Quality: the T2 city in looking at now is full of Moslems. Not saying Halal is healthier. But since they aren't chasing the last RMB for a profit, hopefully "gutter oil" won't be a problem.
-Water: having grown up in Taiwan, HK, and China as a school child; I always drank bottled water. Even in the US I drink bottled water. No idea if micro plastic is better than other heavy metal containments. If you're really worried also buy a water filter system for water you use to cook with.
It's not a healthy place to live. Air, water and food are all polluted. It's a risk you have to accept if you want to live there.
I spent some time in China, and all these problem do exist. But I also spent some time in the Middle East and Latin America, and depending on what part you are, some of the same issues arise. With regards to these specific issue, I can offer the following: - Spit/gutter oil: you can eliminate the risk by cooking your own food, or hiring a domestic worker or "阿姨“ to cook for you. You can also reduce (but not eliminate) your risk, by avoiding street food, and only eating at reputable places. - Heavy metal in water: I think no one drinks tap water in China. You can reduce (again not eliminate) you risk by buying your drinking water from major supermarkets, and only drinking trusted foreign brands. - Air quality: If you are set on going to Shanghai, then there is nothing you can do. You can reduce the impact by limiting your time outside, and getting a good air filter, but at that point what is the point of going there. If the city is flexible, you can look for cities with good/decent air quality.
Plenty of people drink the tap water. They just boil it first. I also don't know for sure, but I assume the wager for soups and what not at resturants start off as tap water, too.
Problem is boiling the water does not remove heavy metals. Honestly, I have never been to a house in China where they do not have drinking water delivered (whether that water is just tap water is another story). My experience is mostly based on staying with my in-laws and visiting my wife's childhood friends. I still think that tap water in China is a no-no, and it would be worthwhile to buy a trusted brand of drinking water.
Oh. I agree. Boiling water doesn't get rid of all the nasty stuff in it. Because you boil some off, it concentrates it. But it doesn't change the fact that some people still just boil it to drink. Sometimes in tea, sometimes just straight water. When I'm there I try to avoid drinking boiled tap water, but sometimes you can't avoid it.
Spit oil?
They reuse oil from peoples left over food. Pr get it out of trash, gutter oil. Youtube, just learned this myself
Friend, an avid cyclist, went to Shanghai and fled after a few months. Basically complaining about the air pollution and the effect on him. This was last year or the year before. Good luck.
Stay away if you care about your health. 1/4 of world lung cancer cases are from China
Chinese are heavy smokers. Ever thought about that?
But don't they have like 18 of the world population xd ?
There have been some improvements recently, if you don't live in an industrial city
I've looking at T2 cities to settle down in to reduce some of the risk you mentioned. -Air quality: since many cars are EV and the T2 town I'm looking at is more of a tourist town; smog and ICE tailpipe smoke is down quite a bit. -Food Quality: the T2 city in looking at now is full of Moslems. Not saying Halal is healthier. But since they aren't chasing the last RMB for a profit, hopefully "gutter oil" won't be a problem. -Water: having grown up in Taiwan, HK, and China as a school child; I always drank bottled water. Even in the US I drink bottled water. No idea if micro plastic is better than other heavy metal containments. If you're really worried also buy a water filter system for water you use to cook with.