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WHO Ambient Air quality database

Update 2023

Update 2023 – Released on 15 May 2023 – 6th edition (V6.0)

The WHO Ambient Air Auality Database compiles data on ground measurements of annual mean concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter of a diameter equal or smaller than 10 μm (PM10) or equal or smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) which aim at representing an average for the city or town as a whole, rather than for individual stations. Both groups of pollutants originate mainly from human activities related to fossil fuel combustion.

The Sixth version of the database, also called Update 2023 was released in May 2023 and currently hosts data on air quality for over 8600 human settlements in more than 120 countries.

The database is updated regularly every 2-3 years since 2011 and this is the 6th update. The data compiled in this database is used as input to derive the Sustainable Development Goal Indicator 11.6.2, Air quality in cities, for which WHO is custodial agency.

Data sources

The primary sources of data were official reports of countries sent to WHO upon request, official national and subnational reports and national and subnational websites that contain measurements of PM10, PM2.5 and NO2.  Measurements reported by the following regional networks were also used: Clean Air for Asia, the Air quality e-reporting database of the European Environment Agency for Europe and the AirNow Programme from the United States embassies and consulates. If such official data were not available, values from UN Agencies, Development agencies and peer-reviewed journals were used. 

Resources

The following documents are relevant to the previous (Version 2022 V5.0) and current version of the WHO Ambient Air Quality database.

Excel Version - WHO Ambient Air Quality Database (Update 2023)

The suggested citation for the database is: WHO. WHO Ambient Air Quality Database (update 2023). Version 6.0. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2023.

City bikes

Addendum 2023

available soon

WHO ambient air quality database, 2022 update: status report
1 June 2023

WHO ambient air quality database, 2022 update: status report

Since 2011, WHO has been compiling and publishing ground measurements of air quality and, specifically, the annual mean concentrations of particulate matter...

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Additional documents

The following documents are relevant to the previous (Version 2022 V5.0) and current version of the WHO Ambient Air Quality database.

Related indicator

Knowing the level of air pollution all over the world is critical to enable public action. Such robust data are essential for countries and the global community to establish a baseline, track progress, draw comparison, and advocate for actions. WHO is a custodian agency for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator 11.6.2 Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted), as displayed below. This indicator aims to inform progress on the target 11.6 set by the United Nations as “By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management:, as part of the broader goal 11 “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”.

Because ground monitors are not available everywhere, WHO uses modelled estimates, which rely, among other input data, on the information available in the WHO Ambient Air Quality Database. More information about the modelled estimates from DIMAQ can be found here.

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Table
Indicator name:
Annual mean concentration of particulate matter of less than 2.5 microns of diameter (PM2.5) [ug/m3] in urban areas
Short name:
Annual mean PM2.5 concentration in urban areas
Data type:
Statistic
Indicator Id:
4674
Topic:
Risk factors
ISO Health Indicators Framework
Environmental factors
Rationale:
Air pollution consists of many pollutants, among other particulate matter. These particles are able to penetrate deeply into the respiratory tract and therefore constitute a risk for health by increasing mortality from respiratory infections and diseases, lung cancer, and selected cardiovascular diseases.
Definition:
The mean annual concentration of fine suspended particles of less than 2.5 microns in diameters is a common measure of air pollution. The mean is a population-weighted average for urban population in a country.
Method of measurement
Concentration of PM2.5 are regularly measured from fixed-site,  population-oriented monitors located within the metropolitan areas. High-quality measurements of PM concentration from all the monitors in the metropolitan area can be averaged to develop a single estimate.  
Method of estimation:
Although PM is measured at many thousands of locations throughout the world, the amount of monitors in different geographical areas vary, with some areas having little or no monitoring. In order to produce global estimates at high resolution (0.1◦ grid‐cells), additional data is required. Annual urban mean concentration of PM2.5 is estimated with improved modelling using data integration from satellite remote sensing, population estimates, topography and ground measurements.
Preferred data sources:
Special studies
Expected frequency of data dissemination:
Every 2-3 years
Expected frequency of data collection:
Every 2-3 years
Contact person email:
[email protected]
Name:
Sophie Gumy
Indicator Metadata Registry List
Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted)
Contact information for general inquiries: [email protected]