State Department suspends reporting air quality levels staff and families relied on overseas

State Department staff were taken aback this week by a department directive instructing embassies and consulates to stop publishing air quality monitoring data. 

CBS News has reviewed the message that was sent to staff on March 4, which says "currently there is no anticipated date for real-time data to be available." Embassy staff and their families relied on the reports to alert them to poor air quality days.

"I was shocked by the announcement," said a current staffer, who asked to remain anonymous due to concerns about their job, and who said the decision doesn't make much sense as the existing infrastructure to monitor air quality is already in place and operational. "I don't see any purpose in turning off this data, it doesn't make any sense," said another department employee.