As a significant segment of the U.S. population continues to breathe polluted air, the American Lung Association emphasizes the importance of maintaining strict environmental standards to protect public health.
Nearly Half of Americans Face Unhealthy Air According to New Report
Nearly Half of Americans Face Unhealthy Air According to New Report
A recent American Lung Association report reveals that 156 million Americans are exposed to unsafe air quality, asserting that relaxed environmental regulations would aggravate the issue.
The view from Brooklyn in June 2023, when smoke from wildfires in Canada caused air quality to decline in New York City. Credit...Dave Sanders for The New York Times
April 23, 2025, 12:01 a.m. ET – The American Lung Association's latest State of the Air report reveals that approximately 156 million Americans, or 46% of the population, reside in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone and particulate pollution. The findings align with concerns that proposed rollbacks on environmental standards by the Trump administration could exacerbate existing air quality problems.
Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine emphasized the crucial role of the Clean Air Act in preserving lung health. “The biggest thing that has saved patients’ lives in regard to lung health and overall health is the Clean Air Act,” he stated, highlighting the need for legislative action to dictate air quality regulation.
Analyzing air pollution data from 2021 to 2023, which included a historically bad wildfire season in Canada, the report categorized air quality across U.S. counties and cities on a grade scale from A to F. Although the Clean Air Act has led to a nearly 80% reduction in key pollutants since its inception in 1970, millions continue to face health risks from poor air quality.
At least 156.1 million individuals breathe air rated with the lowest grade of F for at least one pollutant. Alarmingly, around 42 million live in areas that failed all three pollutant standards. From the 885 counties monitored for air quality, 480 reported failing at least one pollution measure, underscoring the ongoing challenges posed by inadequate air regulations in the country.
April 23, 2025, 12:01 a.m. ET – The American Lung Association's latest State of the Air report reveals that approximately 156 million Americans, or 46% of the population, reside in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone and particulate pollution. The findings align with concerns that proposed rollbacks on environmental standards by the Trump administration could exacerbate existing air quality problems.
Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine emphasized the crucial role of the Clean Air Act in preserving lung health. “The biggest thing that has saved patients’ lives in regard to lung health and overall health is the Clean Air Act,” he stated, highlighting the need for legislative action to dictate air quality regulation.
Analyzing air pollution data from 2021 to 2023, which included a historically bad wildfire season in Canada, the report categorized air quality across U.S. counties and cities on a grade scale from A to F. Although the Clean Air Act has led to a nearly 80% reduction in key pollutants since its inception in 1970, millions continue to face health risks from poor air quality.
At least 156.1 million individuals breathe air rated with the lowest grade of F for at least one pollutant. Alarmingly, around 42 million live in areas that failed all three pollutant standards. From the 885 counties monitored for air quality, 480 reported failing at least one pollution measure, underscoring the ongoing challenges posed by inadequate air regulations in the country.
