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.

Micronesia's Yap Air Pollution Report

Overview

Air Pollution in Yap

Yap faces significant air pollution challenges. 0% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 10 thousand across 24 districts at risk.

The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 1µg/m³. That's 0.2 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5µg/m³.

This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 17 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 Yap met the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, the average person would live 0 years longer.

That's 0 years of life stolen from 10 thousand 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 Yap. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.

1.Gilmaan
0 years lost
2.Kanifay
0 years lost
3.Rumung
0 years lost
4.Dilapebenau
0 years lost
5.Rull
0 years lost
6.Fanif
0 years lost
7.Gagil
0 years lost
8.Maap
0 years lost
9.Tamil
0 years lost
10.Weloy
0 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

100%

10K

5-10 µg/m³

10-15 µg/m³

15-25 µg/m³

25-35 µg/m³

> 35 µg/m³

Districts

All 24 Districts in Yap

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

District	Population	PM2.5 µg/m³
Rull	3K	1.0
Tamil	1K	1.0
Weloy	997	1.0
Kanifay	720	1.1
Dilapebenau	626	1.1
Gagil	541	1.0
Ulithi	530	0.8
Maap	459	1.0
Fanif	442	1.0
Satawal	400	0.0
Gilmaan	257	1.1
Lamotrek	242	0.8
Woleai	220	0.8
Ifalik	192	0.8
Fais	150	0.9
Elato	135	0.8
Rumung	30	1.1
Eauripik	0	0.0
Faraulep	0	0.0
Gaferut	0	0.0
Ngulu	0	0.0
Piagailoe	0	0.0
Pikelot	0	0.0
Sorol	0	0.0

Showing 24 districts, sorted by population (largest first). PM2.5 values are for 2023. Years lost calculated against WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.

Breathing in Yap is Injurious to Health.