Nearly 156 million americans live in areas with unhealthy air pollution levels
Nearly 156 million Americans live in areas with unhealthy air pollution, according to the American Lung Association, with rising pollutants linked to climate change and policy rollbacks.
According to the latest annual state of the air report from the American Lung Association (ALA), nearly 156 million Americans are living in areas where air quality levels are deemed unsafe due to harmful pollutants like soot and smog.
This marks a 16% increase in exposure compared to the previous year and is the highest number in a decade.
Nearly half of Americans exposed to harmful air pollutants
According to the report, which tracks data from 2021 to 2023, states just how much dangerous air pollutants are harming Americans. Continue exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) and smog have been linked to many serious health issues such as:
- Asthma attacks strokes
- Heart attacks
- Preterm births
The study also stated that soot exposure increases the risk of lung cancer and long-term cognitive impairment.
Dismantling of Environmental Protections adds to the crisis
The President and CEO of the American Lung Association, Harold Wimmer, criticized the Trump administration's decision of reducing staff and cutting funds at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
CEO of the American Lung Association, Harold Wimmer, has criticized the Trump administration for cutting funding and staff at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Photo: EFE
These rollbacks have caused that low-income and minority households, which are 3 times more likely to live in areas affected by unhealthy levels of both soot and smog.