PM2.5 stands for particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller. These particles are 30 times thinner than a human hair and come from car exhaust, power plants, wildfires, and burning fuel. They are small enough to bypass your body's natural defenses and enter your bloodstream.

How does air pollution affect the body?

Air pollution affects virtually every organ in the body. PM2.5 particles enter your lungs, pass into your bloodstream, and travel to your heart, brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs. This causes chronic inflammation, increasing risks of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, dementia, and many other conditions.

How many people are affected by air pollution?

99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds WHO safety guidelines. Air pollution kills approximately 8 million people every year—more than AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined.

Philippines's Bukidnon Air Pollution Report

Overview

Air Pollution in Bukidnon

Bukidnon faces significant air pollution challenges. 100% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 1.6 million across 22 districts at risk.

The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 19.3µg/m³. That's 3.9 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5µg/m³.

This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 320 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 Bukidnon met the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, the average person would live 1.4 years longer.

That's 2.3M years of life stolen from 1.6 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 Bukidnon. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.

1.Valencia City
1.7 years lost
2.Lantapan
1.5 years lost
3.Quezon
1.5 years lost
4.Malaybalay City
1.5 years lost
5.Maramag
1.5 years lost
6.Don Carlos
1.4 years lost
7.Cabanglasan
1.4 years lost
8.Sumilao
1.4 years lost
9.Impasug-Ong
1.4 years lost
10.San Fernando
1.3 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

5-10 µg/m³

10-15 µg/m³

15-25 µg/m³

100%

1.6M

25-35 µg/m³

> 35 µg/m³

Districts

All 22 Districts in Bukidnon

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

District	Population	PM2.5 µg/m³	Years Lost
Valencia City	234K	21.9	1.7 years
Malaybalay City	212K	20.1	1.5 years
Maramag	116K	20.1	1.5 years
Quezon	111K	20.3	1.5 years
Manolo Fortich	107K	17.6	1.2 years
Talakag	79K	18.2	1.3 years
Don Carlos	72K	19.2	1.4 years
Lantapan	69K	20.8	1.5 years
Pangantucan	63K	18.5	1.3 years
San Fernando	62K	18.7	1.3 years
Kibawe	55K	16.8	1.2 years
Kalilangan	55K	18.5	1.3 years
Libona	54K	17.6	1.2 years
Impasug-Ong	46K	19.0	1.4 years
Kitaotao	42K	18.4	1.3 years
Baungon	41K	17.4	1.2 years
Sumilao	41K	19.1	1.4 years
Damulog	39K	16.1	1.1 years
Kadingilan	37K	17.0	1.2 years
Cabanglasan	36K	19.2	1.4 years
Malitbog	29K	16.3	1.1 years
Dangcagan	28K	17.7	1.2 years

Showing 22 districts, sorted by population (largest first). PM2.5 values are for 2023. Years lost calculated against WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.

Breathing in Bukidnon is Injurious to Health.