Is the air quality good in Manila?
On September 12, 2025, at 7:01 AM PT, Manila, Philippines, was experiencing the worst air quality among major cities in the world. The AQI was 161, classified as "unhealthy."
Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Manila.
It is important to keep in mind that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Manila was 17.4 µg/m3, corresponding to an AQI of 66 (“moderate”), and 3.5 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3.
Manila, Philippines ranked as the most polluted major city on Sept 12, 2025 at 7:01 AM PT. Source: IQAir.
When will the air quality improve in Manila?
Air quality is expected to improve through the evening and into Saturday, gradually reducing the air quality index from the unhealthy range to the moderate range.
Air quality forecast for Manila, Philippines on Sept 12, 2025. Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Manila, Philippines on Sept 12, 2025. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Manila?
A number of factors may be influencing poor air quality in Manila. Air pollution can be can be caused by heavy vehicular use during morning and evening rush hour traffic in Manila, especially on Friday evenings (1). The measured PM2.5 concentrations began to rise around 5 PM PHST. 
Hourly historical AQI information for Manila, Philippines on Sept 12, 2025. Source: IQAir.
Manila can also experience temperature inversions which trap local pollutants under the right conditions (2).
A possible contributor to recent poor air quality in Manila may be the minor eruption of the nearby Taal Volcano (3). However, at the time when Manila's air quality was measured, wind direction was blowing away from Manila and sending vog and pollutants from the eruption towards the ocean (4).
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How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
