Air pollution threatens the health of 3.9 million people across 9 districts in Haut-Katanga. The average PM2.5 level is 29.8 µg/m³—6.0× higher than the WHO guideline.
Brought to you by Amrit Sharma
Haut-Katanga faces significant air pollution challenges. 100% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 3.9 million across 9 districts at risk.
The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 29.8µg/m³. That's 6.0 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5µg/m³.
This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 494 cigarettes in a year.
If Haut-Katanga met the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, the average person would live 2.46 years longer.
That's 9.6M years of life stolen from 3.9 million people. Years of watching children grow up. Years of building a career. Years of quiet mornings and celebrations.
Lives cut short. Breathing kills.
The top 9 most polluted districts in Haut-Katanga. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.
Distribution of population across different PM2.5 pollution levels. The WHO guideline is 5 µg/m³—only populations below this threshold are breathing safe air.
Complete air quality data for every district in Haut-Katanga, sorted by population.
| District | Population | PM2.5 µg/m³ | Years Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lubumbashi | 1.6M | 31.2 | 2.6 years |
| Likasi | 476K | 29.3 | 2.4 years |
| Kambove | 472K | 30.2 | 2.5 years |
| Pweto | 387K | 25.0 | 2.0 years |
| Sakania | 272K | 30.0 | 2.5 years |
| Kasenga | 271K | 28.8 | 2.3 years |
| Mitwaba | 219K | 28.9 | 2.3 years |
| Kipushi | 131K | 30.1 | 2.5 years |
| Kipushi (ville) | 93K | 32.1 | 2.7 years |
Showing 9 districts, sorted by population (largest first). PM2.5 values are for 2023. Years lost calculated against WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.