Metro Atlanta’s air quality has taken a significant hit this year, dropping to an ‘F’ rating for ozone pollution, according to the American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air report. This alarming decline indicates that residents in the area are now exposed to higher levels of smog, which can pose serious health risks.
The report, which evaluates air quality based on data from the years 2021 to 2023, has positioned Metro Atlanta as the third-worst region in the Southeast for ozone pollution. It follows only Memphis, Tennessee, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in this troubling ranking.
Furthermore, Metro Atlanta shares the fourth-worst rating in the Southeast concerning year-round particulate pollution levels, tying with Augusta’s metro area. The areas that scored lower include Columbus, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Little Rock, Arkansas.
Katherine Pruitt, the senior director of nationwide clean air policy for the lung association, highlighted that Metro Atlanta’s experience reflects a broader trend in the Southeast, where many regions have seen a deterioration in air quality this year. She noted that high levels of motor vehicle emissions significantly contribute to the problems faced in the Atlanta region.
In a nationwide context, Atlanta currently ranks 48th out of 228 metro areas concerning ground-level ozone pollution, a notable decline from the previous year when it was ranked 67th. Ground-level ozone is formed when emissions from vehicles and factories react with sunlight, creating smog that can harm individuals’ respiratory health.
This year, the number of unhealthy ozone days in Atlanta rose sharply from 1.8 days in the previous report to 5.5 days, resulting in a grade drop from a ‘C’ to an ‘F.’ With the summer months typically seeing peak ozone levels, residents are advised to remain vigilant for smog alerts that often accompany Code Orange days, during which sensitive groups such as children and seniors should limit outdoor activities.
Looking back over the past 25 years, air quality in Metro Atlanta has shown considerable improvement, despite this year’s setback. In the late 1990s, the region recorded an alarming 95.5 days of high ozone levels, a statistic that highlights the positive changes attributed to federal environmental regulations that enforce clean air standards across various industries.
The report also delves into particulate matter, which combines dust, soot, and other pollutants visible in the air. Often produced by fires, combustions, and even construction activities, this matter poses additional health risks.
For this year, Metro Atlanta experienced a downgrade from a ‘B’ to a ‘C’ in its rating for short-term spikes in particle pollution, reflecting an increase from 0.3 unhealthy days in the previous report to 1.7 unhealthy days this year.
The increase in both ozone and particulate matter is concerning due to their potential health impacts. These pollutants are known to trigger asthma attacks and can even contribute to premature death, according to the American Lung Association.
Danna Thompson, the advocacy director for the lung association in Georgia, expressed regret that many individuals in the Atlanta metro area are living with unhealthy levels of air pollution. She pointed out that air quality issues threaten people’s health at every life stage, from increasing risks for premature birth and low birth weight in newborns to exacerbating lung and heart disease, ultimately affecting life expectancy.
Metro Atlanta is not the only area in Georgia to experience a downturn in air quality this year. Savannah also saw a decline, falling from an ‘A’ grade to a ‘B’ for ozone pollution.
Despite these troubling assessments, there were some silver linings. While Augusta grapples with particle pollution, it stands out among the nation’s cleanest areas for smog. Additionally, despite Atlanta’s poor air quality grades, no cities in Georgia or the Southeast made it onto the list of the 25 most polluted cities for ozone and particulate pollution levels.
The most polluted cities nationwide are primarily located in California, with Los Angeles ranking as the most polluted area for ozone levels. Pruitt identified factors that contribute to these dire pollution levels, such as large populations, abundant sunlight, proximity to major pollution sources, including oil and gas extraction, and impacts from wildfires.
The report emphasizes that nearly half of the U.S. population resides in regions with unhealthy air quality. Experts warn that extreme weather conditions and wildfires are further aggravating the air quality crisis nationwide.
As residents of Metro Atlanta and beyond navigate these concerning air quality trends, awareness and concerted efforts will be essential in addressing the health impacts of pollution and working toward cleaner air for all.
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