A new report from the American Lung Association has revealed findings about air quality across the United States, indicating a significant increase in unhealthy air pollution levels affecting millions of Americans
The 25th annual analysis, titled “State of the Air,” shows the harmful impact of climate change on air quality and public health.
Between 2020 and 2022, approximately 131 million people in the U.S. lived in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution, a rise of nearly 12 million individuals compared to the previous survey.
The report highlighted a growing trend of “very unhealthy” or “hazardous” air quality days than ever recorded in the survey’s history.
Diminishing efforts made by the Clean Air Act
Katherine Pruitt, the national senior director for clean air policy at the American Lung Association, emphasised that climate change is undermining decades of progress made through the Clean Air Act, originally passed in 1963 to regulate air pollution and establish air quality standards.
This setback is down to the escalating impacts of heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires, which are increasingly relevant due to rising temperatures.
Wildfires, fuelled by climate change, are a significant source of pollution that is hard to combat. The report aligns with previous studies indicating that wildfire smoke alone has undone approximately 25% of the Clean Air Act’s achievements.
Ozone exposure
The analysis focuses on ozone exposure, short-term, and year-round exposures to particle pollution, with small particles posing substantial health risks such as asthma, lung cancer, and pregnancy complications.
All 25 of the cities with the highest daily particle pollution levels were located in the West, predominantly in California, reflecting the shifting dynamics of air pollution sources.
While pollution from traditional industrial sources has declined due to regulatory efforts, the West continues to struggle with pollution episodes worsened by climate-induced wildfires.
Despite some improvements in ozone pollution, overall the is still a concern for public health. The report’s authors stress the need for immediate action to restrain air pollution and mitigate climate change.
