Air pollution threatens the health of 9.4 million people across 11 districts in Nord-Kivu. The average PM2.5 level is 33.2 Āµg/mĀ³ā6.6Ć higher than the WHO guideline.
Brought to you by Amrit Sharma
Nord-Kivu faces significant air pollution challenges. 100% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 9.4 million across 11 districts at risk.
The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 33.2Āµg/mĀ³. That's 6.6 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5Āµg/mĀ³.
This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 551 cigarettes in a year.
If Nord-Kivu met the WHO guideline of 5 Āµg/mĀ³, the average person would live 2.75 years longer.
That's 26.0M years of life stolen from 9.4 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 10 most polluted districts in Nord-Kivu. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.
Distribution of population across different PM2.5 pollution levels. The WHO guideline is 5 Āµg/mĀ³āonly populations below this threshold are breathing safe air.
Complete air quality data for every district in Nord-Kivu, sorted by population.
| District | Population | PM2.5 Āµg/mĀ³ | Years Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masisi | 1.9M | 34.9 | 2.9 years |
| Rutshuru | 1.7M | 35.8 | 3.0 years |
| Lubero | 1.6M | 28.9 | 2.3 years |
| Oicha | 1.6M | 33.0 | 2.7 years |
| Butembo | 1.0M | 30.4 | 2.5 years |
| Walikale | 533K | 32.4 | 2.7 years |
| Beni | 379K | 33.2 | 2.8 years |
| Goma | 306K | 39.9 | 3.4 years |
| Nyiragongo | 156K | 39.4 | 3.4 years |
| Rutshuru (ville) | 154K | 37.6 | 3.2 years |
| OĆÆcha (ville) | 145K | 32.0 | 2.7 years |
Showing 11 districts, sorted by population (largest first). PM2.5 values are for 2023. Years lost calculated against WHO guideline of 5 Āµg/mĀ³.