The American Lung Association has released its 2024 "State of the Air" report, naming the Honolulu metro area as one of the cleanest cities in the nation for ozone and particle pollution. Pedro Haro, the Executive Director for the American Lung Association, expressed gratitude for the ongoing improvement in the nation's air quality, emphasizing Honolulu's consistent ranking as one of the cleanest cities for various air pollutants. Haro also highlighted the potential impact of the Maui fires on future air quality reporting.
According to the report, Honolulu County ranked among the cleanest cities in the nation for ozone pollution, with an average of 0 unhealthy days per year, earning an A grade. The urban Honolulu metro area also stood out for its low levels of short-term particle pollution and annual particle pollution, maintaining a level of 3.7 micrograms reported in 2020-2022. Additionally, Maui, Kauai, and Hawai‘i Counties were recognized for their clean air quality, with passing grades for pollution levels below the federal standard set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
The report highlighted concerning national trends, revealing that over 131 million people live in areas with failing grades for at least one measure of air pollution, while 43.9 million people reside in regions with failing grades for all three measures. The data also showed an increase in days with very unhealthy and hazardous levels of particle pollution, emphasizing the importance of addressing air quality issues.
Both ozone and particle pollution were identified as significant contributors to health problems, including premature death, asthma attacks, heart issues, and cognitive impairments. The report underscored the need for stronger national limits on ozone pollution to safeguard public health and drive environmental cleanup efforts across the country.
As part of its advocacy efforts, the American Lung Association is urging the Environmental Protection Agency to implement stricter regulations to combat air pollution and tackle climate change effectively. Individuals are encouraged to engage with the organization's mission by accessing the full report results and signing a petition on Lung.org/SOTA.
To support the initiatives of the American Lung Association, the Outstanding Mothers Award ceremony in Honolulu is scheduled for May 26th, providing an opportunity for community engagement and recognition of outstanding contributions to public health and well-being.
