Breathing in Busan is Injurious to Health.

Air pollution threatens the health of 3.3 million people across 16 districts in Busan. The average PM2.5 level is 19.6 µg/m³—3.9Ɨ higher than the WHO guideline.

Brought to you by Amrit Sharma

Air Pollution in Busan

Busan faces significant air pollution challenges. 100% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 3.3 million across 16 districts at risk.

The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 19.6µg/m³. That's 3.9 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5µg/m³.

This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 325 cigarettes in a year.

Air Quality Trend

Annual PM2.5 levels from 2014 to 2023. The WHO guideline for safe air is 5 µg/m³.

Life Expectancy Impact

If Busan met the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, the average person would live 1.43 years longer.

That's 4.8M years of life stolen from 3.3 million people. Years of watching children grow up. Years of building a career. Years of quiet mornings and celebrations.

Lives cut short. Breathing kills.

Districts with Highest Pollution

The top 10 most polluted districts in Busan. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.

  • 1.Busanjin
    1.6 years lost
  • 2.Sasang
    1.6 years lost
  • 3.Gangseo
    1.5 years lost
  • 4.Dong
    1.5 years lost
  • 5.Jung
    1.5 years lost
  • 6.Yeonje
    1.5 years lost
  • 7.Nam
    1.5 years lost
  • 8.Buk
    1.5 years lost
  • 9.Suyeong
    1.4 years lost
  • 10.Seo
    1.4 years lost

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
0%
0
5-10 µg/m³
0%
0
10-15 µg/m³
0%
0
15-25 µg/m³
100%
3.3M
25-35 µg/m³
0%
0
> 35 µg/m³
0%
0

All 16 Districts in Busan

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

DistrictPopulationPM2.5 µg/m³Years Lost
Haeundae389K
18.6
1.3 years
Busanjin379K
21.1
1.6 years
Saha296K
19.4
1.4 years
Buk288K
19.9
1.5 years
Dongnae268K
19.6
1.4 years
Nam263K
19.9
1.5 years
Geumjeong238K
18.1
1.3 years
Sasang213K
21.1
1.6 years
Yeonje191K
20.0
1.5 years
Gijang167K
17.4
1.2 years
Suyeong165K
19.8
1.4 years
Gangseo135K
20.8
1.5 years
Yeongdo110K
18.6
1.3 years
Seo104K
19.7
1.4 years
Dong96K
20.6
1.5 years
Jung21K
20.1
1.5 years

Showing 16 districts, sorted by population (largest first). PM2.5 values are for 2023. Years lost calculated against WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.