Breathing in Copperbelt is Injurious to Health.

Air pollution threatens the health of 3.2 million people across 10 districts in Copperbelt. The average PM2.5 level is 30.6 µg/m³—6.1× higher than the WHO guideline.

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Brought to you by Amrit Sharma

Overview

Air Pollution in Copperbelt

Copperbelt faces significant air pollution challenges. 100% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 3.2 million across 10 districts at risk.

The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 30.6µg/m³. That's 6.1 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5µg/m³.

This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 508 cigarettes in a year.

Trends

Air Quality Trend

Annual PM2.5 levels from 2014 to 2023. The WHO guideline for safe air is 5 µg/m³.

Health Impact

Life Expectancy Impact

If Copperbelt met the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, the average person would live 2.5 years longer.

That's 8.1M years of life stolen from 3.2 million people. Years of watching children grow up. Years of building a career. Years of quiet mornings and celebrations.

Lives cut short. Breathing kills.

Most Polluted

Districts with Highest Pollution

The top 10 most polluted districts in Copperbelt. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.

  • 1.Lufwanyama
    2.6 years lost
  • 2.Chingola
    2.6 years lost
  • 3.Chililabombwe
    2.5 years lost
  • 4.Kitwe
    2.5 years lost
  • 5.Kalulushi
    2.5 years lost
  • 6.Luanshya
    2.5 years lost
  • 7.Mufulira
    2.5 years lost
  • 8.Ndola
    2.5 years lost
  • 9.Mpongwe
    2.4 years lost
  • 10.Masaiti
    2.3 years lost
Exposure

Population Exposure by Pollution Level

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.

< 5 µg/m³
0%
0
5-10 µg/m³
0%
0
10-15 µg/m³
0%
0
15-25 µg/m³
0%
0
25-35 µg/m³
100%
3.2M
> 35 µg/m³
0%
0
Districts

All 10 Districts in Copperbelt

Complete air quality data for every district in Copperbelt, sorted by population.

DistrictPopulationPM2.5 µg/m³Years Lost
Kitwe860K
31.0
2.5 years
Ndola853K
30.1
2.5 years
Chingola376K
31.4
2.6 years
Luanshya277K
30.5
2.5 years
Mufulira236K
30.2
2.5 years
Masaiti138K
28.7
2.3 years
Mpongwe130K
29.6
2.4 years
Lufwanyama129K
31.6
2.6 years
Chililabombwe129K
31.0
2.5 years
Kalulushi116K
30.8
2.5 years

Showing 10 districts, sorted by population (largest first). PM2.5 values are for 2023. Years lost calculated against WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.