Just how terrible is the air pollution in today’s China? Here’s the answer: James Fallows, a national correspondent for The Atlantic, compared Beijing’s air quality before, during, and after the 2008 Olympic Games.

Now, some smart Chinese street vendors have found a new way to make money: selling fresh air.

This is a scene captured by Youku’s user. The white board reads, “Air cans, cleaning your lungs. RMB 50.” But seriously would you pay US $7.30 for a bottle of air tagged as having come from some unpolluted places in China like “Inner Mongolia”, “Yangshuo”, or “Shuixiang”? Since the street vendor wore a funny Monkey King mask, I’d be inclined consider this as a kind of performance art.

As what you can imagine, Chinese netizens just don’t think this way. Please read these angry comments: “Shameless! Take off your mask!”, “This guy’s crazy for money!”, “Psycho! Air can’t be sold!”, and “Is he nuts?!”

Why so serious?

[Update] The air vendor has been caught by police.