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 Zamboanga del Norte Air Pollution Report

Overview

Air Pollution in Zamboanga del Norte

Zamboanga del Norte faces significant air pollution challenges. 100% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 1.1 million across 27 districts at risk.

The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 16.9µg/m³. That's 3.4 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5µg/m³.

This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 280 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 Zamboanga del Norte met the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, the average person would live 1.17 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 Zamboanga del Norte. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.

1.Sergio Osmena Sr.
1.3 years lost
2.Polanco
1.3 years lost
3.Pinan
1.3 years lost
4.Katipunan
1.3 years lost
5.Mutia
1.3 years lost
6.Sindangan
1.3 years lost
7.Dipolog City
1.2 years lost
8.Bacungan
1.2 years lost
9.Siocon
1.2 years lost
10.Siayan
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 27 Districts in Zamboanga del Norte

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

District	Population	PM2.5 µg/m³	Years Lost
Dipolog City	153K	17.6	1.2 years
Sindangan	95K	17.8	1.3 years
Dapitan City	86K	15.9	1.1 years
Sergio Osmena Sr.	49K	18.4	1.3 years
Kalawit	48K	15.8	1.1 years
Labason	46K	16.6	1.1 years
Katipunan	45K	17.9	1.3 years
Siocon	44K	17.3	1.2 years
Liloy	42K	15.8	1.1 years
Gutalac	41K	16.2	1.1 years
Manukan	40K	16.2	1.1 years
Siayan	38K	17.2	1.2 years
Salug	36K	16.3	1.1 years
Pres. Manuel A. Roxas	35K	17.1	1.2 years
Jose Dalman	34K	16.3	1.1 years
Sibuco	34K	15.8	1.1 years
Bacungan	34K	17.4	1.2 years
Polanco	31K	18.1	1.3 years
Sirawai	29K	15.9	1.1 years
Baliguian	27K	16.6	1.1 years
Tampilisan	22K	15.1	1.0 years
Pinan	20K	17.9	1.3 years
Sibutad	19K	15.9	1.1 years
Godod	18K	15.5	1.0 years
Rizal	17K	16.5	1.1 years
Mutia	12K	17.9	1.3 years
La Libertad	10K	17.1	1.2 years

Showing 27 districts, sorted by population (largest first). PM2.5 values are for 2023. Years lost calculated against WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.

Breathing in Zamboanga del Norte is Injurious to Health.