Air pollution in Shanghai is way down in the last few years.

To better visualize the data, take a look at our Air Pollution in Shanghai Infographic with statistics up to 2016.

For air pollution in Shanghai today please see the real-time AQI index in the right side column of this website.

Infographic design work by Diatom

Air Pollution in Shanghai 2006-2016

Although data for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Shanghai only began to be published in 2013, a report in the China Daily on January 9th, 2012 stated that “The average annual density of PM2.5 in Shanghai was 44 to 53 micrograms a cu from 2006 to 2010.”

By 2013, the average annual density of PM2.5 in Shanghai had increased to 62 ug/m3.

Fortunately, after many strict measures were implemented by local authorities, the average annual PM2.5 density in 2016 reduced to 45 ug/m3. This was a 15% reduction from 2015 (53ug/m3) and 27% reduction from 2013.

Protect Yourself

Despite the big improvement in air quality, we still experience days when the air quality index (AQI) exceeds 200, denoting unhealthy air quality. Most such days in Shanghai come during the winter months.

For expats in Shanghai, therefore, it is still important to make use of various air pollution solutions to protect yourself.

Shanghai Air Quality Target

The Airborne Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (2013-17) released in September 2013 by China’s Environmental Protection Ministry, and further legislated locally in the Shanghai Clean Air Action Plan (2013-17), required Shanghai to reduce its annual average PM2.5 concentration by 20% from the base year of 2012 by 2017.

This target of 48ug/m3 for 2017 was already surpassed by more than 6% in 2016.

In January 2016 the Shanghai People’s Congress unveiled a stricter goal for reducing average PM2.5 density to 42ug/m3 by 2020.

This, however, means only a 6.7% reduction over 4 years. Not a very ambitious target!

Healthy Air in Shanghai – A Long Way to Go

The 2017 air quality target for Shanghai did not meet China’s own standard for healthy air, let alone the more strict standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Air Quality Standards The World Health Organization (WHO)

Air quality standard released in 2005

Maximum 24-hour PM 2.5 exposure: 25 ug/m3

Maximum annual average exposure: 10 ug/m3. –

Air quality standard released in 2005 Maximum 24-hour PM 2.5 exposure: 25 ug/m3 Maximum annual average exposure: 10 ug/m3. – The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Air quality standard released in 2012

Maximum 24-hour PM 2.5 exposure: 35 ug/m3

Maximum annual average exposure: 12 ug/m3

Air quality standard released in 2012 Maximum 24-hour PM 2.5 exposure: 35 ug/m3 Maximum annual average exposure: 12 ug/m3 China National Standard

National Ambient Air Quality Standard (GB3095-2012)

Maximum 24-hour PM 2.5 exposure: 75 ug/m3

Maximum annual average exposure: 35 ug/m3

What Causes Air Pollution in Shanghai

Shanghai Bans Fireworks for Chinese New Year

You can see the variousness sources of air pollution in Shanghai in our infographic above.

As foreigners, we should acknowledge that a significant percentage of China’s air pollution is produced during the production of consumer goods for export.

In the August 10, 2013 edition of The Economist magazine it was reported that “About a quarter of China’s carbon emissions is produced making goods for export.”

Another report stated that emissions from ships in Shanghai (many loading up consumer goods for export) accounted for between 8-10% of Shanghai PM2.5.

As Chinese incomes rise, however, domestic consumption is becoming a much larger contributor to air pollution in China.

In early January 2017 China’s Minister of environmental protection, Chen Jining, remarked during a press conference that detailed analysis showed emissions from automobiles have become the primary source of urban atmospheric fine particles (PM2.5) in major cities, accounting for 31.3 percent in Beijing, and 29.2 percent in Shanghai.

Air Pollution Blown from the North of China

Government efforts in the North of China to tackle smog are critical to reducing air pollution in Shanghai during the winter months.

As the data shows, about 20% of Shanghai smog is caused by pollution blown in from other provinces. During the summer months when Shanghai air quality is at its best the wind blows mainly from the South East off the ocean. So it’s during winter months, when the wind direction changes, that we get most of this incoming air pollution.

Plans have been outlined to reduce the main culprit of Northern China’s severe air pollution; increased coal burning for heating during winter months, by switching to renewable energy and other cleaner energy sources.

Shanghai Air Pollution Forecast

In 2015 Shanghai authorities began to issue a 2-day air pollution forecast. By 2017 they had extended this forecast to five days.

Some China apps for air quality include 7-day air pollution forecasts.