Published by ChinaMNC · Jinping
Shantou Air Quality Update for Foreign Founders: October 12–25, 2026
A practical air-quality briefing for foreign founders operating in Shantou, based on the October 19, 2026 weekly report from the Shantou Ecological Environment Bureau. Includes AQI ranges by station, pollutant trends, and the upcoming week's forecast.
Why Air Quality Matters for Foreign Founders in Shantou
For foreign founders setting up or running a company in China, local environmental conditions can affect employee health, relocation decisions, and operational planning. The Shantou Ecological Environment Bureau publishes weekly air-quality reviews and forecasts. The following summary is based on the October 19, 2026 report covering the week of October 12–18, 2026, and the forecast for October 19–25, 2026.
Air Quality Overview: October 12–18, 2026
In Shantou’s urban area, the Air Quality Index (AQI) ranged from 55 to 114. Six days were classified as “Good” and one day as “Lightly Polluted.” The weekly average concentration of inhalable particulate matter (PM10) was 41 micrograms per cubic meter, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) averaged 24.9 micrograms per cubic meter.
Compared with the previous week, concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO) decreased, while PM2.5, PM10, and ozone (O3) increased.
Station-by-Station AQI and Composite Index
The table below shows the AQI range and composite air-quality index for each monitoring station. The composite index is a dimensionless measure that considers six pollutants: SO2, NO2, PM10, PM2.5, CO, and O3. A higher index indicates greater overall pollution.
- Jinping Station: AQI 63–127; composite index 5.88
- Longhu Station: AQI 55–115; composite index 5.80
- Haojiang Station: AQI 51–110; composite index 5.52
- Chenghai Station: AQI 60–119; composite index 6.08
- Chaoyang Station: AQI 53–112; composite index 5.50
- Chaonan Station: AQI 54–103; composite index 6.27
- Chaonan Xiashan Station: AQI 55–112; composite index 6.36
- Nanao Houzhai Station: AQI 49–98; composite index 5.36
Forecast for October 19–25, 2026
The upcoming week’s air quality forecast is as follows:
- October 19–21: Affected by easterly airflows, air quality is expected to be excellent to good.
- October 22: Under the influence of typhoon periphery and northerly airflows, air quality is expected to be good.
- October 23–25: With cold air and precipitation, air quality is expected to be excellent to good.
The primary pollutant is forecast to be ozone.
Data Notes and Where to Find Daily Updates
All data above are actual observations and have not been reviewed by the national monitoring center. For daily detailed air-quality conditions and three-day forecasts, visit the “Air Quality Status and Forecast Release System” link on the official website of the Shantou Ecological Environment Bureau.
The report was issued by the Shantou Ecological Environment Monitoring Center Station of Guangdong Province on October 19, 2026.
Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders
- Monitor local conditions: Air quality varies by station. If your office or factory is in a specific district, check the relevant station’s data.
- Plan outdoor activities: During “Good” days, normal outdoor activities are generally fine. On “Lightly Polluted” days, sensitive individuals may consider reducing prolonged outdoor exertion.
- Use official forecasts: The weekly forecast helps with scheduling outdoor meetings, site visits, or events. The primary pollutant being ozone suggests that sunny, hot days may have higher ozone levels.
- Stay informed: Daily updates are available on the official platform, which can be useful for staff health and safety planning.
This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.