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 Lanao del Norte Air Pollution Report

Overview

Air Pollution in Lanao del Norte

Lanao del Norte faces significant air pollution challenges. 100% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 1.1 million across 23 districts at risk.

The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 16.6µg/m³. That's 3.3 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5µg/m³.

This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 275 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 Lanao del Norte met the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, the average person would live 1.14 years longer.

That's 1.3M years of life stolen from 1.1 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 Lanao del Norte. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.

1.Lala
1.3 years lost
2.Baroy
1.2 years lost
3.Salvador
1.2 years lost
4.Tubod
1.2 years lost
5.Iligan City
1.2 years lost
6.Sapad
1.2 years lost
7.Kolambugan
1.2 years lost
8.Kauswagan
1.2 years lost
9.Linamon
1.1 years lost
10.Kapatagan
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

5-10 µg/m³

10-15 µg/m³

55K

15-25 µg/m³

95%

1.0M

25-35 µg/m³

> 35 µg/m³

Districts

All 23 Districts in Lanao del Norte

Complete air quality data for every district in Lanao del Norte, sorted by population.

District	Population	PM2.5 µg/m³	Years Lost
Iligan City	385K	17.0	1.2 years
Lala	89K	18.3	1.3 years
Baloi	75K	15.5	1.0 years
Kapatagan	64K	16.6	1.1 years
Sultan Naga Dimaporo	48K	15.2	1.0 years
Tubod	47K	17.2	1.2 years
Nunungan	37K	15.9	1.1 years
Magsaysay	33K	15.6	1.0 years
Baroy	30K	17.7	1.2 years
Maigo	29K	16.5	1.1 years
Linamon	28K	16.7	1.1 years
Munai	28K	14.2	0.9 years
Pantao Ragat	27K	15.0	1.0 years
Salvador	26K	17.6	1.2 years
Kolambugan	26K	16.9	1.2 years
Matungao	24K	15.3	1.0 years
Poona Piagapo	21K	15.0	1.0 years
Bacolod	21K	16.4	1.1 years
Pantar	19K	15.3	1.0 years
Kauswagan	18K	16.8	1.2 years
Sapad	16K	17.0	1.2 years
Tangcal	8K	15.4	1.0 years
Tagoloan	6K	15.7	1.0 years

Showing 23 districts, sorted by population (largest first). PM2.5 values are for 2023. Years lost calculated against WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.

Breathing in Lanao del Norte is Injurious to Health.