Worsening Smog

• States like California, Arizona, and Nevada have seen significant increases in ozone pollution, particularly in rural areas. • Ozone pollution can be especially hazardous for people with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma. • The American Lung Association found that from 2021 to 2023, five times as many counties saw ozone pollution worsen as saw it improve.

Wildfires and Particulate Pollution

• Wildfires have contributed to increased particulate pollution, particularly in areas with poor air quality. • In 2022, the number of days with “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” particulate levels reached a 30-year high. • The American Lung Association reports that a growing number of Americans are facing dangerous levels of particulate pollution.

• Particulate pollution can cause respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and premature death.
• The effects of particulate pollution can be particularly severe for people with pre-existing conditions.
• Poor air quality can also exacerbate existing conditions, such as asthma.

Disproportionate Impact

• People of color, particularly Hispanic Americans, are disproportionately affected by air pollution. • The American Lung Association found that Hispanic Americans are more than twice as likely to experience high levels of particulate pollution as white Americans. • The report highlights the urgent need for targeted policies to address the disproportionate impact of air pollution on communities of color.

Threats to Public Health

• Both ozone and particulate pollution can aggravate asthma, raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, and lead to an early death. • The American Lung Association estimates that air pollution is responsible for over 150,000 premature deaths per year in the U.S. • The report emphasizes the need for stronger regulations to protect public health.

“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,” said Harold Wimmer, head of the American Lung Association.

Challenges to Enforcing Air Quality Standards

• The Trump administration has sought to weaken rules on air pollution. • Efforts to slash staff, funding, and programs at the EPA are leaving families vulnerable to harmful air pollution. • The report highlights the need for sustained support for the EPA to effectively enforce air quality standards. Highlights:
• Ozone pollution worsened in 5 times as many counties than improved between 2021 and 2023. • Particulate pollution reached a 30-year high in 2022.

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: Ozone is a common air pollutant that forms when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react with sunlight. •

: Particulate pollution refers to the presence of tiny particles in the air that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, causing respiratory problems. •

: Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by inflammation and constriction of the airways.

The Path Forward

• The report highlights the need for sustained support for the EPA to effectively enforce air quality standards. • Stronger regulations and increased funding are essential to protect public health and reduce air pollution.