Ulaanbaatar is already the coldest capital of the world, but it need not be its most polluted.

When Ulaanbaatar’s one million citizens breathe, their lungs act like air filters, catching and storing harmful dust. Scientists call this dust “Particulate Matter” (PM). If PM is smaller than 10 microns or “PM10” it can cause severe respiratory illnesses. These illnesses can lead to increased absences from school and work and even premature death.

Based on a recent World Bank joint study with the National University of Mongolia and the National Public Health Institute, PM10 measurements over the past three years in UB are two - five times higher than Mongolia’s Air Quality Standards. Five to ten times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines and three to seven times higher the European limits.