空氣汙染是全球範圍內很嚴重且日益增長的健康威脅，但在許多地區尚無實時空氣品質數據。超過四分之三的美國外交使團都在細顆粒汙染水平超過美國環境保護署（EPA）年度空氣品質標準的地方。認識到這個問題後，北京美國大使館於2008年安裝了國務部的第一臺空氣品質監測器。如今，全世界已有超過二十多個使團裝有空氣品質監測器。到2018年底，這個數字將接近40。
Air pollution is a serious and growing health threat worldwide, yet in many areas, real-time air quality data is unavailable. More than three-quarters of U.S. diplomatic posts are in locations where fine particle pollution levels exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) annual air quality standard. Recognizing the problem, U.S. Embassy Beijing installed the Department’s first air quality monitor in 2008. Today, more than two dozen posts around the world have air quality monitors. By the end of 2018, that number will be near 40.