Do expats need pollution hazard pay?

As the smog problem in Beijing continues, though less intense than last winter, companies like Coca Cola China are offering "pollution hazard pay" to expatriates in the city. Such extra pay highlights the perceived problems of living in Beijing that include pollution, traffic and food safety.

These problems are worrying, but some byproducts of China's industrialization process. Hopefully, China will address the problems by enforcing laws and regulations, raising public awareness about environmental protection, educating people about the importance of a healthy diet, and cultivating a culture of sustainable development.

But strange as it may sound, some issues are evolving into opportunities. For example, China's notoriety in food safety sensitizes people toward food sources, though such awareness is dearly bought. In the United States, people do not always read the fine print, including cautionary notes, on food labels because food safety is taken for granted thanks to the Food and Drug Administration. I don't know which is worse, assuming all food is unsafe until proven safe (as in China) or assuming all food is safe until you hear on National Public Radio (in the US) that there is a recall for certain contaminated food products.