Nearly Half of the U.S. Population Faces Air Quality Issues, Warns American Lung Association

An alarming report from the American Lung Association highlights that approximately 46% of Americans, or 156 million people, are exposed to unhealthy air conditions due to ozone and particulate pollution. The findings suggest that proposed regulatory rollbacks by the Trump administration could worsen air quality disparities across the nation.

According to the latest State of the Air report released by the American Lung Association, an estimated 156 million Americans—about 46% of the nation's population—are living in areas with unhealthy levels of either ozone, particulate pollution, or both. The assessment raises significant concerns about ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to roll back environmental regulations and reduce funding for air quality research, which could further deteriorate air conditions.

Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, a pulmonologist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and spokesperson for the American Lung Association, emphasized the importance of the Clean Air Act, stating that legislative measures are crucial for maintaining safe air quality. "The biggest thing that has saved patients' lives in regard to lung health and overall health is the Clean Air Act. Clearly, legislation is needed because that’s what dictates the air quality you breathe," he asserted.

The findings, which cover the years 2021 to 2023, analyzed air quality data amidst one of the worst wildfire seasons recorded in Canada. The report employed a grading system from A to F to evaluate pollution levels in various counties and cities across the country. Despite significant improvements in air quality since the Clean Air Act was enacted in 1970, where pollutant levels have dropped about 80%, millions of Americans still contend with unhealthy air conditions that pose both acute and chronic health risks.

The report indicates that at least 156.1 million people are subjected to air quality receive an F grade for at least one pollutant, and around 42 million live in counties that failed all three major pollution standards. Among the 885 monitored counties, 480 reported failing at least one of the assessed air quality measures, raising concerns about public health and safety.