Unhealthy Air Quality (AQI 154) Across China — Contact-Center & Knowledge-Worker Operations Footprint at Risk

Air quality across China has reached Unhealthy levels with an AQI of 154, posing health risks to the general population and sensitive groups. With approximately 1.2 million contact-center seats, 3 million back-office seats, and 30 million knowledge-worker seats in China, sustained poor air quality can drive absenteeism, reduce in-office attendance, and pressure hybrid/remote work policies — particularly at dense urban sites. Operations leaders should monitor site-level AQI readings, assess ventilation and HVAC adequacy at in-office facilities, and review attendance trends for early signs of staffing shortfalls.