Mangalore Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today

Karnataka, India — Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5

Mangalore AQI Right Now

83

Category: Satisfactory

Dominant Pollutant: pm10

PM2.5: 45.3 µg/m³

PM10: 82.38 µg/m³

Last updated: 2026-03-24 — Data source: Google Air Quality API (NAQI). Live NAQI values load when you visit the page.

Mangalore Pollutant Levels

PollutantConcentration
PM2.545.3 µg/m³
PM1082.38 µg/m³
O₃ (Ozone)3.18 µg/m³
NO₂10.6 µg/m³
SO₂1.27 µg/m³
CO335.97 µg/m³

Health Advisory — Mangalore

Satisfactory: Minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.

Health Impact — Mangalore

Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 2.1 cigarettes per day (based on current PM2.5 levels).

Life Expectancy Impact: Sustained exposure at this PM2.5 level could reduce life expectancy by 0.23 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).

Health Recommendations for Mangalore

  • General Population: Acceptable air quality. Unusually sensitive people should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
  • Elderly: Minor breathing discomfort is possible.
  • Children: Should be fine outdoors with normal activities.
  • Lung Disease Patients: Consider reducing prolonged outdoor exertion.

Understanding Mangalore Air Quality

Mangalore, Karnataka's principal port city on the Arabian Sea coast, hosts the MRPL (Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited) oil refinery - one of India's largest - along with the BASF chemical plant and the KIOCL iron ore pelletisation facility. These heavy industries create a persistent industrial baseline of SO2, NOx, and fine particulates that distinguishes Mangalore from most other coastal cities of similar size. The New Mangalore Port handles over 40 million tonnes of cargo annually, with ship emissions, coal dust from handling, and diesel exhaust from port vehicles adding to the mix.

Despite its industrial profile, Mangalore benefits enormously from its tropical maritime climate and exceptional rainfall - averaging over 3,500mm annually during the southwest monsoon (June–September). This intense monsoon washout makes the June–October period remarkably clean, with AQI consistently in the Good range. The Arabian Sea breeze provides year-round natural ventilation, dispersing industrial plumes more effectively than inland locations would allow. Even during the drier winter months (December–February), sea breezes keep pollution levels moderate.

The driest and warmest period (March–May) sees the highest pollution readings as reduced rainfall allows dust accumulation and industrial emissions linger longer in the atmosphere. Fishing boat emissions along the coastline - from thousands of mechanised trawlers burning diesel - add a localised coastal pollution source. Overall, Mangalore ranks among India's cleaner major cities, with its extraordinary monsoon rainfall and coastal ventilation more than compensating for its significant industrial presence.

Primary Pollution Sources

  • Port emissions
  • Vehicle exhaust
  • Industrial (MRPL refinery, BASF)
  • Road dust
  • Construction dust
  • Fishing boat emissions

Geography: Arabian Sea coast; major port city, MRPL oil refinery and petrochemical hub, tropical maritime climate with very high rainfall

Peak pollution months: December, January, February, March

Frequently Asked Questions — Mangalore

How does the MRPL refinery affect Mangalore's air quality?

The MRPL refinery at Kuttipadavu, with a capacity of 15 million tonnes per annum, is Mangalore's single largest stationary emission source. It releases SO2, NOx, VOCs, and fine particulates from refining processes, flaring, and product storage. While modern emission controls and a 200-metre-tall flare stack help disperse emissions, downwind areas - particularly during calm winter evenings when sea breezes weaken - can experience elevated SO2 and hydrocarbon odours.

Why is Mangalore's air cleaner than most Indian cities despite heavy industry?

Mangalore receives over 3,500mm of annual rainfall - among the highest for any major Indian city - which provides extraordinary atmospheric cleansing for roughly five months of the year. The Arabian Sea coastline delivers constant sea breezes that disperse industrial emissions effectively. This combination of intense monsoon washout and persistent coastal ventilation keeps annual average AQI well below cities with far less industry but landlocked, dry climates.

Air Quality in Nearby Cities