Air pollution threatens the health of 929 thousand people across 9 districts in Matabeleland North. The average PM2.5 level is 19.1 µg/m³—3.8× higher than the WHO guideline.
Brought to you by Amrit Sharma
Matabeleland North faces significant air pollution challenges. 100% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 929 thousand across 9 districts at risk.
The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 19.1µg/m³. That's 3.8 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5µg/m³.
This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 317 cigarettes in a year.
If Matabeleland North met the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, the average person would live 1.37 years longer.
That's 1.3M years of life stolen from 929 thousand 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 Matabeleland North. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.
Complete air quality data for every district in Matabeleland North, sorted by population.
| District | Population | PM2.5 µg/m³ | Years Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binga | 178K | 20.4 | 1.5 years |
| Tsholotsho | 129K | 17.7 | 1.2 years |
| Umguza | 126K | 16.1 | 1.1 years |
| Nkayi | 125K | 18.5 | 1.3 years |
| Lupane | 120K | 19.3 | 1.4 years |
| Hwange | 84K | 21.5 | 1.6 years |
| Bubi | 83K | 16.7 | 1.2 years |
| Hwange Urban | 45K | 23.3 | 1.8 years |
| Victoria Falls | 39K | 23.0 | 1.8 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.