The American Lung Association released its 25th annual “State of the Air” report, emphasizing the need for continued progress in air quality across the nation. Nick Torres, Advocacy Director for the American Lung Association, acknowledged the improvements in air quality over the years but highlighted that challenges still persist, with over 131 million people living in areas with unhealthy air pollution levels.
Torres stressed the impact of climate change on air pollution, stating, "Climate change is making air pollution more likely to form and more difficult to clean up, so we are calling on EPA to set long-overdue stronger national limits on ozone pollution."
The report assessed various pollutants, with specific focus on ozone "smog" and particle pollution. In Wyoming, the Cheyenne and Casper metro areas were highlighted for their air quality rankings. Cheyenne's ozone pollution levels resulted in a 46th worst ranking nationally, while Casper ranked 60th worst. Both areas also faced challenges with short-term particle pollution.
Despite the areas' rankings, Laramie County in the Cheyenne metro area received a passing grade for pollution levels below the updated federal standard, showcasing some positive outcomes in air quality efforts. Moreover, the Casper metro area notably improved in its year-round average level of particle pollution, ranking as the 2nd cleanest in the country.
The “State of the Air” report also shed light on the health impacts of poor air quality, linking ozone and particle pollution to various serious health conditions such as asthma attacks, heart disease, and lung cancer. Communities of color were highlighted as being disproportionately exposed to unhealthy air, emphasizing the need for inclusive and equitable air quality improvements.
In response to the findings, the American Lung Association urged the EPA to implement stronger national limits on ozone pollution to enhance protection for individuals and promote cleaner air across the nation. The Association encouraged individuals to review the full report results and support their advocacy efforts at Lung.org/SOTA.
