According to a recently released report by the American Lung Association, nearly half of all Americans are now breathing air that is unhealthy due to rising pollution levels.
The report, titled “State of the Air,” indicates that approximately 156 million people—representing an increase of 25 million since the previous year—reside in areas that received failing grades for ozone and two measures of fine particulate matter pollution based on air quality data from 2021 to 2023.
Particulate matter, also known as particle pollution or soot, comprises a combination of solid and liquid droplets suspended in the air. Sources of this pollution include coal and natural gas power plants, vehicles, agricultural practices, unpaved roads, construction, and wildfires.
These minuscule particles pose significant health threats as they can penetrate the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, causing irritation and inflammation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies exposure to particulate pollution as a major contributor to premature death globally, with links to various health conditions, including certain cancers, stroke, asthma, preterm births, dementia, depression, and anxiety.
In the U.S., some 85 million people are living in areas where year-round particle pollution has received failing grades—marking the second-highest number recorded since the report’s inception in 2000.
Among U.S. cities, the Chicago region ranks as the 15th most polluted area for ozone pollution, highlighting the significant air quality challenges faced by urban populations.
The top 10 areas most affected by year-round particle pollution are as follows:
1. Bakersfield-Delano, CA
2. Visalia, CA
3. Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran, CA
4. Eugene-Springfield, OR
5. Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
6. Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI (tied for 6th)
6. San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA (tied for 6th)
8. Houston-Pasadena, TX
9. Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH
10. Fairbanks-College, AK
In addition to long-term exposure, short-term pollution spikes can also have immediate adverse effects, such as breathing difficulties or triggering heart attacks.
The report indicates that short-term particle pollution in the U.S. reached its highest level in 16 years, affecting 77.2 million people living in counties with unhealthy pollution spikes during the observation period.
The 10 areas with the highest short-term particle pollution are:
1. Bakersfield-Delano, CA
2. Fairbanks-College, AK
3. Eugene-Springfield, OR (tied for 3rd)
3. Visalia, CA (tied for 3rd)
5. Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran, CA
6. Reno-Carson City-Gardnerville Ranchos, NV-CA
7. Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
8. Yakima, WA
9. Seattle-Tacoma, WA
10. Sacramento-Roseville, CA
Ozone pollution, commonly called smog, is formed when sunlight reacts with pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds emitted from electric utilities, automotive exhaust, gasoline vapors, industrial plants, and chemical solvents.
Short-term exposure to ozone can trigger asthma attacks and lead to chest pain, whereas long-term exposure is associated with decreased lung function and increased risk of premature death.
The most polluted areas for ozone are as follows:
1. Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
2. Visalia, CA
3. Bakersfield-Delano, CA
4. Phoenix-Mesa, AZ
5. Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran, CA
6. Denver-Aurora-Greeley, CO
7. Houston-Pasadena, TX
8. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
9. Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem, UT
10. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
The report further highlights a stark demographic divide in pollution exposure, noting that communities of color are disproportionately affected.
Individuals identifying as people of color are more than twice as likely to live in neighborhoods with unhealthy air compared to White individuals.
Moreover, Hispanic individuals are three times more likely than their White counterparts to reside in areas with three failing grades for air pollution.
Dr. Juanita Mora, a pulmonologist treating patients primarily in a Hispanic neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side, sees these impacts daily.
She stated that the demolition of a local power plant in 2020 spread soot extensively, exacerbating existing pollution levels and impacting residents’ respiratory health.
In one instance, a 7-year-old who was playing outside experienced chest tightness and severe coughing, ultimately requiring an emergency room visit.
Dr. Mora articulated her dissatisfaction as a healthcare professional, emphasizing the overwhelming scale of pollution’s toll.
“As a doctor, I feel like we’re failing millions and millions of kids and adults,” she lamented.
The health risks associated with air pollution extend beyond demolition events.
Katherine Pruitt, national senior director for policy at the American Lung Association and a co-author of the report, noted that a record number of warm days coupled with wildfires created adverse conditions for air quality during the research period.
Smoke from wildfires can affect individuals even if they live far from the blaze, as plumes travel and contribute to ozone-forming compounds in urban settings.
Dr. Mora recounted how Canadian wildfires affected her Chicago patients, leading to increased asthma exacerbations among children and adults alike.
Dr. Panagis Gallatsatos, a pulmonary and critical care medicine expert at Johns Hopkins Medicine, expressed his frustration over the rising pollution levels.
He noted that despite medical interventions available to assist patients, the underlying issue of pollution requires effective policy measures to safeguard public health.
As a volunteer spokesperson for the Lung Association, Dr. Gallatsatos emphasized the need for strong regulatory frameworks to address air pollution’s health impact.
Currently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering deregulatory actions that could jeopardize air quality protections.
These proposals, part of what the EPA describes as the “biggest deregulatory action in U.S. history,” include reevaluating the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter set under the Biden administration.
President Trump’s administration is also contemplating loosening regulations on various industries, including power plants and fossil fuel extraction, further intensifying concerns about future air quality.
Katherine Pruitt conveyed her worries about the potential reversal of regulations that took years of hard work to establish.
“If these deregulatory efforts succeed, many individuals living in already polluted environments will be worse off,” Dr. Mora echoed, stressing the health implications for her urban patients.
When air quality is compromised, it exacerbates health challenges, making it even harder for vulnerable populations to thrive.
Dr. Mora concluded emphatically: “If you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.”
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