Objective To understand the health risks in public places through the monitoring of health hazards in public places of Xining, China, and to provide a scientific basis for relevant departments to take targeted measures.

Methods Samples of the physical factors, indoor air, and public articles were monitored in six types of public places in Xining in 2021, and the results were evaluated based on the Hygienic Indicators and Limits for Public Places (GB 37488-2019).

Results In 2021, the monitoring of health hazards was conducted for 47 public places in Xining, belonging to the six types of hotels, barber shops, beauty shops, shopping malls (supermarkets), bath places, and waiting rooms. A total of 2 399 samples were collected, among which 2046 samples were qualified, with a qualified rate of 85.29%. There was a significant difference in the qualified rates of samples between the different types of public places (χ²=106.02, P < 0.05), and bathing places and shopping malls (supermarkets) had relatively low qualified rates of 74.66% and 74.76%, respectively. Noise and humidity were the main unqualified indicators in public places and had qualified rates of 38.82% and 47.65%, respectively. There was a significant difference in the qualified rates of noise in various public places (χ²=46.63, P < 0.05), with the lowest qualified rate of 2.38% for shopping malls (supermarkets).

Conclusion There are health risks in the public places in Xining, and samples from shopping malls (supermarkets) and bathing places have relatively low qualified rates. Humidity and noise are the main unqualified indicators. It is suggested that relevant departments strengthen the supervision of public places and take targeted protective measures.