Nearly half of the U.S. population is facing unhealthy air pollution levels, according to the American Lung Association's 2025 "State of the Air" report, which was released recently. The report indicates that 156 million people are living in areas with an "F" grade for ozone or particle pollution. This figure is up by 25 million compared with the previous year. Factors such as extreme heat and wildfires have intensified air pollution across the nation.
The 26th annual report evaluates ground-level ozone pollution (also known as smog) and particle pollution, assessing air quality data from 2021-2023. Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, expressed concerns, stating, "Families across the U.S. are dealing with the health impacts of air pollution every day, and extreme heat and wildfires are making it worse. Air pollution is causing kids to have asthma attacks, making people who work outdoors sick, and leading to low birth weight in babies."
The report highlights that 156 million people live in areas failing in at least one air pollution measure, with 42.5 million experiencing all three failing grades. Furthermore, people of color, particularly Hispanic individuals, face disproportionate exposure. They are twice or nearly three times as likely to live in communities with all three failing measures compared to white individuals.
Various health impacts are linked to air pollutants, including premature deaths, asthma attacks, heart and lung disease, and preterm births. The report also notes an increase in short-term particle pollution, with 77.2 million people living in counties facing unhealthy spikes. This marks the highest number ever recorded in the report's 16-year history.
Additionally, over 85 million people live in counties with failing grades for year-round particle pollution, the second-largest number in the report's history. The report also cites data from summer 2023 when Canadian wildfires worsened pollution in midwestern and eastern U.S. states.
The report identifies cities with the worst air pollution, including Bakersfield-Delano, Fairbanks-College, Eugene-Springfield, Visalia, and Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran, among others. Meanwhile, Vigo and San Juan emerged as the cleanest cities without ozone or particle pollution problems.
The report underscores the importance of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in mitigating pollution. However, Wimmer warns of challenges facing the EPA: "Even as more people are breathing unhealthy air, the federal staff, programs and policies that are supposed to be cleaning up pollution are facing rollbacks, restructuring and funding challenges." The report urges public support for the EPA to safeguard air quality.
The report relies on data from air quality monitors across 922 counties in the U.S. However, millions still reside in areas lacking pollutant monitoring. The American Lung Association is advocating for stronger EPA support to ensure effective air quality management.
To view the full report and take action, readers are directed to Lung.org/sota.
