The American Lung Association's 25th annual "State of the Air" report has shed light on the concerning air quality challenges faced by Idaho, particularly in terms of particle pollution. Heather Kimmel, Division Director of Health Promotion for the American Lung Association, expressed that despite significant progress in air quality over the years, Idaho continues to battle with air pollution issues.
Kimmel emphasized the impact of climate change on air pollution levels, stating, "Climate change is making air pollution more likely to form and more difficult to clean up, so there are actions we can and must take to improve air quality." She also called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish stronger national limits on ozone pollution.
The report highlighted that the Boise metro area ranked poorly in ozone pollution, with an average of 5.3 unhealthy days per year, earning it an F grade. Additionally, the area struggled with short-term particle pollution, averaging 10.7 unhealthy days per year and receiving another F grade. However, Ada County managed to stay below the updated federal standard for annual particle pollution levels.
Nationally, the report revealed that millions of people live in areas with failing grades for various measures of air pollution. It also pointed out the disproportionate impact on communities of color, who are more likely to live with chronic conditions that make them vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.
Both ozone and particle pollution were identified as significant contributors to premature death and various health issues such as asthma attacks, heart disease, and even lung cancer.
In response to these findings, the American Lung Association is urging the EPA to implement stronger regulations to improve air quality and protect public health. The full report results and a petition can be accessed on Lung.org/SOTA.
