Air pollution threatens the health of 125.7 million people across 38 districts in Bihar. The average PM2.5 level is 60.1 µg/m³—12.0× higher than the WHO guideline.
Brought to you by Amrit Sharma
Bihar faces significant air pollution challenges. 100% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 125.7 million across 38 districts at risk.
The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 60.1µg/m³. That's 12.0 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5µg/m³.
This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 997 cigarettes in a year.
If Bihar met the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, the average person would live 5.41 years longer.
That's 680.2M years of life stolen from 125.7 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 Bihar. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.
Complete air quality data for every district in Bihar, sorted by population.
| District | Population | PM2.5 µg/m³ | Years Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patna | 7.0M | 66.4 | 6.0 years |
| Purba Champaran | 6.1M | 67.4 | 6.1 years |
| Muzaffarpur | 5.8M | 68.1 | 6.2 years |
| Madhubani | 5.4M | 60.7 | 5.5 years |
| Gaya | 5.3M | 46.9 | 4.1 years |
| Samastipur | 5.1M | 69.5 | 6.3 years |
| Saran | 4.8M | 68.0 | 6.2 years |
| Darbhanga | 4.8M | 65.7 | 5.9 years |
| Pashchim Champaran | 4.7M | 60.6 | 5.4 years |
| Vaishali | 4.2M | 68.2 | 6.2 years |
| Siwan | 4.0M | 67.0 | 6.1 years |
| Purnia | 3.9M | 57.0 | 5.1 years |
| Bhagalpur | 3.7M | 58.8 | 5.3 years |
| Katihar | 3.7M | 57.7 | 5.2 years |
| Begusarai | 3.6M | 67.0 | 6.1 years |
| Rohtas | 3.6M | 47.5 | 4.2 years |
| Sitamarhi | 3.6M | 63.9 | 5.8 years |
| Nalanda | 3.5M | 58.9 | 5.3 years |
| Araria | 3.4M | 53.7 | 4.8 years |
| Bhojpur | 3.3M | 59.3 | 5.3 years |
| Gopalganj | 3.1M | 67.3 | 6.1 years |
| Aurangabad | 3.0M | 46.6 | 4.1 years |
| Nawada | 2.7M | 50.0 | 4.4 years |
| Supaul | 2.7M | 57.7 | 5.2 years |
| Banka | 2.5M | 45.4 | 4.0 years |
| Madhepura | 2.4M | 60.8 | 5.5 years |
| Saharsa | 2.3M | 63.8 | 5.8 years |
| Jamui | 2.1M | 44.8 | 3.9 years |
| Kishanganj | 2.1M | 46.0 | 4.0 years |
| Buxar | 2.0M | 57.3 | 5.1 years |
| Khagaria | 2.0M | 66.0 | 6.0 years |
| Kaimur | 2.0M | 44.0 | 3.8 years |
| Munger | 1.6M | 56.8 | 5.1 years |
| Jehanabad | 1.4M | 54.4 | 4.8 years |
| Sheohar | 1.3M | 64.6 | 5.8 years |
| Lakhisarai | 1.3M | 58.0 | 5.2 years |
| Arwal | 850K | 55.1 | 4.9 years |
| Sheikhpura | 764K | 58.9 | 5.3 years |
Showing 38 districts, sorted by population (largest first). PM2.5 values are for 2023. Years lost calculated against WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.