Breathing in Hamgyŏng-namdo is Injurious to Health.

Air pollution threatens the health of 3.2 million people across 20 districts in Hamgyŏng-namdo. The average PM2.5 level is 17.6 µg/m³—3.5× higher than the WHO guideline.

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Overview

Air Pollution in Hamgyŏng-namdo

Hamgyŏng-namdo faces significant air pollution challenges. 100% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 3.2 million across 20 districts at risk.

The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 17.6µg/m³. That's 3.5 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5µg/m³.

This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 292 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 Hamgyŏng-namdo met the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, the average person would live 1.24 years longer.

That's 3.9M 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 Hamgyŏng-namdo. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.

  • 1.Hamhŭng
    1.5 years lost
  • 2.Hamju
    1.4 years lost
  • 3.Kŭmya
    1.4 years lost
  • 4.Kowŏn
    1.4 years lost
  • 5.Yŏnggwang
    1.4 years lost
  • 6.Chŏngp'yŏng
    1.3 years lost
  • 7.Sinhŭng
    1.2 years lost
  • 8.Rakwon
    1.2 years lost
  • 9.Pujŏn
    1.1 years lost
  • 10.Hongwŏn
    1.1 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
24.8%
789K
15-25 µg/m³
75.2%
2.4M
25-35 µg/m³
0%
0
> 35 µg/m³
0%
0
Districts

All 20 Districts in Hamgyŏng-namdo

Complete air quality data for every district in Hamgyŏng-namdo, sorted by population.

DistrictPopulationPM2.5 µg/m³Years Lost
Hamhŭng1.0M
20.1
1.5 years
Dachon298K
13.8
0.9 years
Kŭmya192K
19.4
1.4 years
Sinp'o184K
15.7
1.1 years
Chŏngp'yŏng181K
18.6
1.3 years
Pukch'ŏng150K
14.8
1.0 years
Hongwŏn139K
16.2
1.1 years
Yŏnggwang133K
19.0
1.4 years
Hamju129K
19.5
1.4 years
Sinhŭng117K
17.4
1.2 years
Riwŏn115K
14.0
0.9 years
Doksong87K
14.6
0.9 years
Yodŏk77K
15.9
1.1 years
Hŏch'ŏn71K
13.6
0.8 years
Jangjin68K
14.3
0.9 years
Sudong68K
15.1
1.0 years
Rakwon53K
17.0
1.2 years
Kowŏn53K
19.3
1.4 years
Pujŏn52K
16.6
1.1 years
Kŭmho6K
16.2
1.1 years

Showing 20 districts, sorted by population (largest first). PM2.5 values are for 2023. Years lost calculated against WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.