Alarming Rise in Air Pollution exposure Across the US

A new report, AIR STATE 2025 from the American lung Association, reveals a concerning trend: nearly half of the United States population, approximately 156 million individuals, are now residing in areas plagued by unhealthy levels of air pollution. This includes both ozone and particle pollution,two of the most pervasive and hazardous atmospheric contaminants. This figure marks a significant increase of roughly 25 million people compared to the previous year’s findings, representing the highest number recorded in the past decade.Factors such as extreme heat, prolonged drought conditions, and the escalating frequency and intensity of forest fires are major contributors to this growing crisis.

This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for complete strategies to mitigate air pollution and protect public health. The consequences of prolonged exposure to these pollutants are well-documented, ranging from respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular problems to increased cancer risk. For example, a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine linked long-term exposure to fine particulate matter to a 15% increase in the risk of lung cancer.

west coast Still Suffers, But East coast Sees Dramatic Worsening

While the western states continue to grapple with the most severe air quality issues, the geographical distribution of air pollution is demonstrably shifting eastward.Bakersfield, California, remains at the top of the list for metropolitan areas with the worst short-term particle pollution for the third year running, and for year-round particle pollution for the sixth consecutive year.Los Angeles continues to struggle with ozone pollution, holding the unfortunate title for 25 out of the 26 years the report has been conducted. Though, Los Angeles has seen a reduction of 77 days with harmful ozone levels annually.

The most dramatic shift occurred in Cleveland, Ohio, which catapulted from 54th to 9th place among the most polluted cities in the nation within the last 12 months.This sharp decline in air quality highlights the growing vulnerability of eastern communities to the impacts of pollution.

Disproportionate impact on Minority Communities

The burden of air pollution is not shared equally across all segments of the population. African Americans are disproportionately exposed to poor air quality,making them more susceptible to chronic diseases such as asthma,diabetes,and heart conditions. hispanics are also nearly three times more likely than whites to reside in areas with substandard air quality.

Environmental justice demands that we address these disparities and ensure that all communities have access to clean air and a healthy environment.
Dr. Maria Hernandez, Environmental health Advocate

These disparities underscore the need for targeted interventions and policies to protect vulnerable populations from the harmful effects of air pollution. This includes investing in air quality monitoring and mitigation efforts in underserved communities, as well as addressing the root causes of environmental injustice.

Ozone Pollution: A Major Threat to Public Health

Ozone pollution poses a significant threat to the health of millions of Americans, particularly vulnerable populations such as infants, children, and older adults. Between 2021 and 2023, approximately 125.2 million people (37% of the population) were exposed to ozone levels that could jeopardize their health, an increase of 24.6 million from the previous year.

While the Clean Air Act of 1970, amended 35 years ago, led to significant reductions in ozone pollution, these gains are now being eroded. This year’s report reveals that 211 counties across 35 states and the District of Columbia received an “F” rating for their ozone levels, the worst possible grade.

California’s Persistent air Quality Challenges

California continues to struggle with air quality, with nine of the 25 most polluted metropolitan areas in the country located within the state. Other states with multiple cities on the list include Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. This year, Chicago, new York, San Luis, and Sheboygan have been added to the list.

In the period between 2021 and 2023, 77.2 million people lived in counties that received an “F” rating for harmful spikes in particle pollution,an increase of 12.1 million from the previous report. This marks the seventh consecutive year of increasing health threats from this deadly pollutant.

Wildfires exacerbate Air Pollution Crisis

The transport of smoke from increasingly frequent and intense wildfires has substantially worsened air quality, particularly in the central-northern and eastern regions of the United States. While california remains among the states with the worst average air quality, approximately 37 million people have experienced improvements, with the state average improving by roughly 0.4 micrograms per cubic meter. nearly all of the 42 counties in the state where comparisons could be made showed progress. Fresno-Hanford-corcoran and Los Angeles-Long Beach recorded their lowest historical levels,even though thay remain among the five worst.

Conversely, eleven metropolitan areas experienced a decline in air quality compared to their most recent levels, although none of the 25 most polluted cities for this measurement recorded their worst historical levels of year-round particle pollution.

Millions at risk, Data Gaps Persist

Over 265 million people reside in the 885 counties with sufficient monitoring data to assess at least one pollutant in the 2025 report. However, many counties, particularly in rural areas, lack air quality monitors, leaving communities without crucial data. Despite these gaps, the investigation concludes that 156 million Americans are at risk of health damage from air pollution.

Specifically, approximately 26 million African Americans and 15.2 million Hispanics live in counties that received failing grades in all three measures: ozone pollution, short-term particle pollution, and year-round particle pollution.