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 Sur Air Pollution Report

Overview

Air Pollution in Lanao del Sur

Lanao del Sur faces significant air pollution challenges. 100% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 1.1 million across 40 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 Sur met the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, the average person would live 1.14 years longer.

That's 1.2M 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 Sur. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.

1.Bumbaran
1.3 years lost
2.Maguing
1.3 years lost
3.Poona Bayabao
1.3 years lost
4.Lumba-Bayabao
1.3 years lost
5.Tamparan
1.2 years lost
6.Taraka
1.2 years lost
7.Masiu
1.2 years lost
8.Mulondo
1.2 years lost
9.Lumbayanague
1.2 years lost
10.Lumbatan
1.2 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%

1.1M

25-35 µg/m³

> 35 µg/m³

Districts

All 40 Districts in Lanao del Sur

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

District	Population	PM2.5 µg/m³	Years Lost
Marawi City	144K	16.0	1.1 years
Lumba-Bayabao	56K	17.8	1.3 years
Malabang	53K	16.8	1.2 years
Ganassi	50K	16.2	1.1 years
Poona Bayabao	47K	18.0	1.3 years
Buadiposo-Buntong	44K	16.4	1.1 years
Binidayan	42K	16.4	1.1 years
Marogong	42K	15.8	1.1 years
Tamparan	33K	17.7	1.2 years
Kapai	32K	15.5	1.0 years
Masiu	32K	17.3	1.2 years
Taraka	32K	17.6	1.2 years
Bayang	31K	16.4	1.1 years
Wao	31K	16.8	1.2 years
Maguing	30K	18.1	1.3 years
Lumbatan	27K	16.9	1.2 years
Balabagan	25K	16.2	1.1 years
Marantao	25K	16.2	1.1 years
Lumbayanague	24K	17.1	1.2 years
Mulondo	23K	17.3	1.2 years
Saguiaran	22K	15.7	1.0 years
Kapatagan	22K	15.9	1.1 years
Madalum	18K	15.9	1.1 years
Picong	17K	16.1	1.1 years
Butig	16K	16.8	1.2 years
Balindong	16K	16.3	1.1 years
Madamba	15K	15.9	1.1 years
Tugaya	14K	16.4	1.1 years
Ditsaan-Ramain	14K	16.5	1.1 years
Tubaran	14K	15.8	1.1 years
Tagoloan II	14K	15.4	1.0 years
Bubong	12K	16.6	1.1 years
Sultan Dumalondong	12K	16.3	1.1 years
Pagayawan	11K	16.1	1.1 years
Pualas	9K	16.1	1.1 years
Calanogas	8K	16.3	1.1 years
Bumbaran	7K	18.6	1.3 years
Piagapo	5K	15.9	1.1 years
Lumbaca Unayan	5K	16.7	1.1 years
Bacolod Kalawi	2K	16.2	1.1 years

Showing 40 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 Sur is Injurious to Health.