Air pollution threatens the health of 127.8 million people across 36 districts in Punjab. The average PM2.5 level is 43.4 µg/m³—8.7× higher than the WHO guideline.
Brought to you by Amrit Sharma
Punjab faces significant air pollution challenges. 100% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 127.8 million across 36 districts at risk.
The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 43.4µg/m³. That's 8.7 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5µg/m³.
This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 720 cigarettes in a year.
If Punjab met the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, the average person would live 3.77 years longer.
That's 481.8M years of life stolen from 127.8 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 Punjab. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.
Complete air quality data for every district in Punjab, sorted by population.
| District | Population | PM2.5 µg/m³ | Years Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lahore | 9.7M | 64.0 | 5.8 years |
| Faisalabad | 7.4M | 38.6 | 3.3 years |
| Rawalpindi | 6.1M | 47.4 | 4.2 years |
| Multan | 6.0M | 44.8 | 3.9 years |
| Bahawalpur | 5.5M | 39.9 | 3.4 years |
| Rahim Yar Khan | 5.2M | 39.7 | 3.4 years |
| Muzaffargarh | 5.0M | 42.3 | 3.7 years |
| Gujranwala | 4.7M | 47.0 | 4.1 years |
| Sargodha | 4.5M | 38.5 | 3.3 years |
| Bahawalnagar | 4.1M | 43.7 | 3.8 years |
| Sialkot | 3.7M | 44.1 | 3.8 years |
| Jhang | 3.6M | 38.2 | 3.3 years |
| Gujrat | 3.6M | 35.7 | 3.0 years |
| Bhakkar | 3.4M | 37.3 | 3.2 years |
| Kasur | 3.4M | 51.9 | 4.6 years |
| Khanewal | 3.4M | 40.7 | 3.5 years |
| Vehari | 3.4M | 43.0 | 3.7 years |
| Attock | 3.1M | 41.6 | 3.6 years |
| Sheikhupura | 3.1M | 51.3 | 4.5 years |
| Okara | 3.0M | 45.2 | 3.9 years |
| Leiah | 3.0M | 40.3 | 3.5 years |
| Chakwal | 2.9M | 35.9 | 3.0 years |
| Mianwali | 2.9M | 37.7 | 3.2 years |
| Dera Ghazi Khan | 2.8M | 41.1 | 3.5 years |
| Sahiwal | 2.8M | 41.0 | 3.5 years |
| Toba Tek Singh | 2.5M | 37.8 | 3.2 years |
| Khushab | 2.4M | 36.5 | 3.1 years |
| Lodhran | 2.4M | 41.4 | 3.6 years |
| Mandi Bahauddin | 2.2M | 41.6 | 3.6 years |
| Pakpattan | 2.1M | 44.7 | 3.9 years |
| Jhelum | 1.9M | 37.6 | 3.2 years |
| Rajanpur | 1.9M | 40.4 | 3.5 years |
| Narowal | 1.8M | 44.9 | 3.9 years |
| Chiniot | 1.6M | 35.7 | 3.0 years |
| Hafizabad | 1.3M | 41.3 | 3.6 years |
| Nankana Sahib | 1.3M | 44.5 | 3.9 years |
Showing 36 districts, sorted by population (largest first). PM2.5 values are for 2023. Years lost calculated against WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.