Helena Joyce
Shanghai, China's largest city, has been facing an air pollution problem for years. In 2013, the city experienced dangerously high levels of fine particulate matter, with readings crossing the 300 μg/m3 mark on December 2nd. The city's air quality has been attributed to intensive industrial activity and its proximity to manufacturing bases, with recent years seeing increases in PM2.5 levels. Shanghai's air pollution problem is now considered worse than Beijing's, which has implemented aggressive policies to improve air quality. While Shanghai has also made efforts to reduce pollution, it continues to struggle with meeting international standards. The COVID-19 lockdown measures in 2020 led to a decrease in emissions and an improvement in air quality, but the resumption of industrial production reversed some of these gains.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Quality Index (AQI) | 54 (Moderate) |
| PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) AQI | 63 |
| PM10 (respirable particulate matter) AQI | 37 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) AQI | 6 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) AQI | 5 |
| O3 (ozone) AQI | 13 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) AQI | 5 |
| Worst episode of air pollution | 2013 Eastern China smog |
| Highest AQI reading | 800 (recorded by the US Embassy on 12 January 2013) |
| Average PM2.5 in 74 key cities under the monitoring system in 2015 | 55 μg/m3 |
| Beijing's yearly average PM2.5 in 2016 | 73 μg/m3 |
| Shanghai's average PM2.5 in 2018 | 35 μg/m3 |
| Shanghai's target PM2.5 for 2040 | 20 μg/m3 |
| Common types of pollution | Lead poisoning, electronic waste, light pollution |
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What You'll Learn
Shanghai's air pollution is worse than Beijing's
PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter, which is a key measure of air quality. Prior to the winter of 2018, Beijing's pollution levels had been consistently higher than the national average since 2014. However, that year, Shanghai and Guangzhou saw year-on-year increases in PM2.5 levels of 9% and 7% respectively over a period of three months. This was driven by a credit stimulus that boosted the steel, cement and coal sectors.
The Chinese government has recognised the severity of the country's pollution problem. In 2007, The New York Times stated that environmental degradation in China had become so severe that it posed not only a major long-term burden on the Chinese public but also an acute political challenge to the ruling Communist Party. Indeed, according to the Chinese Ministry of Health, industrial pollution has made cancer China's leading cause of death, with hundreds of thousands of citizens dying prematurely each year due to ambient air pollution.
To address these issues, China published its first national air pollution action plan in 2013, setting air quality targets for 2017. While Beijing has implemented aggressive policies to improve its air quality, such as banning household coal burning, the rest of the country has been slower to act. As industrial output has shifted away from Beijing, central and southern China have registered increases in emissions. As a result, Shanghai's air pollution levels have now surpassed those of Beijing.
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Shanghai's worst air pollution episode was in 2013
Shanghai, located in the Yangtze River Delta, has long struggled with air pollution. In 2013, the city experienced its worst air pollution episode, with dangerously high levels of fine particulate matter blanketing the city. This event was part of a broader episode of air pollution that affected a large portion of East China, including nearby municipalities and provinces.
The 2013 Eastern China smog was caused by a combination of factors, including a lack of cold air flow and slow-moving air masses carrying industrial emissions, which collected and formed a thick layer of smog. The smog was so dense that it reduced visibility, obscured Shanghai's iconic skyline, and had significant impacts on transportation and daily activities. Airports, highways, and schools were closed, and residents were advised to wear protective masks and use air purifiers. The air was described as having a strange taste—astringent and smoky with an aftertaste of earthy bitterness.
During this episode, PM2.5 particulate levels reached their highest point on December 6, 2013, with Shanghai recording a level of 507. To put this into perspective, the U.S. Embassy considers air quality readings above 300 to be hazardous to all humans, not just those with heart or lung conditions. The World Health Organization's recommended daily level is 10 μg/m3, and yet, readings in Shanghai crossed the 300 μg/m3 mark on December 2, 2013.
Research has indicated that coal burning was a primary contributor to the high levels of PM2.5 during this time, with 41% of the carbon in these particles attributed to coal combustion. Additionally, industrial sources and regional transportation also played a significant role in the poor air quality. The increase in fossil fuel consumption in China, particularly in the most industrialized areas, has been identified as a key factor in the rising number of smog days.
While Shanghai's air quality has improved since 2013, with a 26% reduction in air pollution between 2015 and 2016, it continues to face the challenges of environmental degradation and economic development. Efforts are being made to address these issues, with the implementation of stricter regulations and the development of plans to further reduce pollution levels.
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The city's air quality has improved since 2015
Shanghai, China's largest city, has long been known for its poor air quality. In 2000, the city emitted 464,000 tons of SO2 and 141,200 tons of smoke and dust. However, since 2015, Shanghai has made significant progress in improving its air quality.
In 2012, the city established a fund for gas project incentives and introduced coal-free and mostly-coal-free areas. By 2015, the entire metropolitan area was required to become coal-free. This shift away from coal, coupled with the enactment of measures to replace coal with gas boilers, has led to a substantial reduction in air pollution.
The switch to natural gas in power generation and heating has played a pivotal role in improving Shanghai's air quality. A report by the International Gas Union (IGU) highlighted Shanghai as one of the cities benefiting from this transition, achieving real progress in enhancing air quality without compromising economic development.
Shanghai's efforts to address air pollution align with China's overall improvements in environmental protection. According to the World Bank, China is one of the few countries rapidly increasing its forest cover while successfully reducing air and water pollution. The country has implemented the Action Plan for Air Pollution Prevention and Control, aiming to strengthen the control of industrial, non-point source, and mobile pollution emissions. As a result, cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou have witnessed significant improvements in air quality in recent years.
Shanghai's journey towards cleaner air is a testament to the effectiveness of targeted initiatives and the prioritisation of environmental concerns. While challenges remain, the city's progress since 2015 offers hope for a healthier and more sustainable future for its residents.
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Shanghai's air pollution is linked to intensive industrial activity
Shanghai, China's largest city, has been facing an air pollution problem that is linked to intensive industrial activity. The city's air quality has been a concern for its residents, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels often exceeding safe standards.
The Yangtze River Delta, where Shanghai is located, is the most developed region in China, with high population densities. The intensive industrial activity in the region contributes to the release of large amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere. Power plants, traffic, and other anthropogenic activities also play a role in Shanghai's air pollution.
Shanghai's air pollution problem came into sharp focus during the 2013 Eastern China smog episode. The city was blanketed by dangerously high levels of fine particulate matter, with readings crossing the 300 μg/m3 mark on December 2nd. This was a significant health concern as the recommended World Health Organization (WHO) guideline for safe levels is just 10 μg/m3.
The COVID-19 lockdown provided a unique opportunity to assess the impact of reduced human activity on air quality in Shanghai. With most enterprises and factories closed, and transportation limited, the city experienced a decrease in emissions. Specifically, there was a 60.4% reduction in NO2 emissions, which improved air quality. However, even with these reductions, the overall values during the lockdown still exceeded the WHO-recommended safe concentrations.
Shanghai's air pollution problem is not an isolated issue, as China as a whole struggles with environmental degradation. The Chinese Ministry of Health has acknowledged that industrial pollution has made cancer the leading cause of death in the country. Efforts to improve air quality in Shanghai and China have been made, with the implementation of national air pollution monitoring systems and pollution control research and development. While some progress has been made, the health effects of air pollution remain a serious concern for Shanghai's residents.
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The COVID-19 lockdown improved Shanghai's air quality
Shanghai, China's most populous city, has long struggled with poor air quality, which is a severe issue across the country. The COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 appeared to reduce air pollution in Shanghai, with fewer cars on the road and factories closed, which helped reduce PM2.5. The lockdown also seemed to have a positive impact on air quality in cities surrounding Shanghai.
Shanghai's air quality improved by 11% year-on-year in the first half of 2020, with the biggest improvements during the height of the lockdown from February to April. However, this trend reversed in May and June as the city returned to normal, with increased economic activity and travel.
The second lockdown in Shanghai, from March 28 to June 1, 2022, due to the Omicron variant, also reduced human mobility, public transportation, manufacturing, and economic growth. However, the Air Quality Index (AQI) did not improve during this period. The benefit of decreased ground-level PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 was offset by amplified O3 pollution, leading to an increased AQI.
Shanghai's air pollution is primarily caused by industrial pollution, with high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), PM2.5 (fine particulate matter), and PM10 (respirable particulate matter). The COVID-19 lockdowns helped reduce these pollutants, especially during the first lockdown, which coincided with the Lunar New Year, a time when factories typically suspend operations.
Overall, while the COVID-19 lockdowns in Shanghai appeared to have a positive impact on air quality, especially in 2020, the improvements were short-lived, and the city continues to face significant air pollution challenges.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Shanghai is a polluted city. It is located in the Yangtze River Delta, the most developed region of China, with high population densities. Intensive industrial activity contributes to the release of large amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere.
Shanghai's pollution is now worse than Beijing's. In 2013, Shanghai's air pollution was at dangerously high levels, with readings crossing the 300 μg/m3 mark on December 2nd. In comparison, the World Health Organization's recommended guideline is 10 μg/m3.
China's first national air pollution action plan was published in 2013, setting air quality targets for 2017. These targets were met, and Shanghai had already reduced air pollution by 26% below 2015 levels by 2016. The local government released another master plan for 2040 in 2017, calling for PM2.5 to be reduced to about 20 μg/m3.
The health effects of Shanghai's air pollution are similar to those of cigarettes. According to the Chinese Ministry of Health, industrial pollution has made cancer China's leading cause of death. Every year, air pollution alone kills hundreds of thousands of citizens.
