Air pollution threatens the health of 580 thousand people across 10 districts in Groningen. The average PM2.5 level is 7 Āµg/mĀ³ā1.4Ć higher than the WHO guideline.
Brought to you by Amrit Sharma
Groningen faces significant air pollution challenges. 100% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 580 thousand across 10 districts at risk.
The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 7Āµg/mĀ³. That's 1.4 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5Āµg/mĀ³.
This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 116 cigarettes in a year.
If Groningen met the WHO guideline of 5 Āµg/mĀ³, the average person would live 0.2 years longer.
That's 116K years of life stolen from 580 thousand people. Years of watching children grow up. Years of building a career. Years of quiet mornings and celebrations.
Lives cut short. Breathing kills.
The top 10 most polluted districts in Groningen. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.
Distribution of population across different PM2.5 pollution levels. The WHO guideline is 5 Āµg/mĀ³āonly populations below this threshold are breathing safe air.
Complete air quality data for every district in Groningen, sorted by population.
| District | Population | PM2.5 Āµg/mĀ³ | Years Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groningen | 235K | 6.9 | 0.2 years |
| Westerkwartier | 65K | 6.6 | 0.2 years |
| Midden-Groningen | 58K | 7.1 | 0.2 years |
| Het Hogeland | 49K | 7.1 | 0.2 years |
| Eemsdelta | 45K | 7.3 | 0.2 years |
| Oldambt | 39K | 7.4 | 0.2 years |
| Veendam | 27K | 7.0 | 0.2 years |
| Westerwolde | 25K | 7.2 | 0.2 years |
| Stadskanaal | 25K | 7.1 | 0.2 years |
| Pekela | 13K | 7.2 | 0.2 years |
Showing 10 districts, sorted by population (largest first). PM2.5 values are for 2023. Years lost calculated against WHO guideline of 5 Āµg/mĀ³.