The American Lung Association's latest "State of the Air" report has unveiled concerning findings regarding air quality in the United States. According to the report, there has been a significant increase in deadly particle pollution levels, marking the most severe spike in 25 years. Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, expressed his dismay, stating, "We have seen impressive progress in cleaning up air pollution over the last 25 years... more than 130 million people would still be breathing unhealthy air."
The report highlights the impact of climate change on air quality, attributing the rise in dangerous particle pollution to factors such as wildfires and industrial emissions. Wimmer emphasized the urgent need to address these issues, stating, "Climate change is causing more dangerous air pollution... We must do more to ensure everyone has clean air."
Notably, the report underscores the disproportionate exposure of people of color to unhealthy air and the heightened vulnerability of individuals living with chronic conditions exacerbated by air pollution. The data revealed that individuals from minority communities are more likely to reside in areas with failing air quality grades.
Furthermore, the report details the detrimental effects of particle pollution, which can lead to severe health consequences such as asthma attacks, heart issues, and even lung cancer. It also highlights the concerning trend of increasing short-term particle pollution spikes due to changing weather patterns and more frequent wildfires.
Despite some improvements in ozone pollution levels, with fewer individuals living in areas with unhealthy ozone pollution compared to previous years, over 100 million people still face the detrimental effects of ozone pollution. The report also recognizes the cleanest cities in the nation, showcasing areas with minimal ozone and particle pollution.
In response to these findings, the American Lung Association is urging for stronger national limits on ozone pollution and advocating for stricter regulations to tackle particle pollution and address climate change. The organization emphasizes the importance of collective efforts to ensure cleaner air for all individuals.
To access the full report results and support the call for cleaner air, individuals can visit Lung.org/SOTA.
