A new report has painted a worrying picture of the air quality across the United States, revealing that more Americans than ever are breathing air that could harm their health. According to the American Lung Association's annual “State of the Air” study, a staggering 156 million people — nearly half the U.S. population — are living in areas with dangerous levels of pollution.
The report, which analysed air quality data between 2021 and 2023, shows a significant increase in the number of people exposed to unhealthy air — up by 25 million since the previous year’s findings. This marks the highest recorded number in over a decade, suggesting that air quality across the nation is deteriorating rather than improving.
Climate Change: The Invisible Hand Behind Dirty Air
Despite decades of progress following the 1970 Clean Air Act, the trend toward cleaner air appears to be reversing. One of the key drivers behind this regression is climate change. Rising global temperatures, extreme weather patterns, and an increase in wildfires are all contributing to poor air quality across regions that were once considered relatively clean.
Laura Kate Bender, a vice president at the American Lung Association, highlighted how climate shifts are exacerbating air pollution. “Heatwaves and wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense, and that’s directly impacting ozone levels and particle pollution,” she explained.
Also Read: Switch On Diet: Know All About The Viral 4-Week Fat-Melting Plan Everyone’s Talking About
Cities with the Worst Air
For the sixth year running, Bakersfield, California, was named the city with the most severe year-round and short-term particle pollution. It also came in third for high ozone days. Other cities that performed poorly included Visalia, Fresno, and Los Angeles—all in California—as well as cities in Michigan, Texas, and Ohio. On the other end of the spectrum, Casper, Wyoming, emerged as the cleanest city in terms of year-round particle pollution, offering some hope that cleaner air is still achievable.
Top 5 Cities with the Worst Air:
- Bakersfield-Delano, CA
- Visalia, CA
- Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran, CA
- Eugene-Springfield, OR
- Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
Also Read: Delhi Schools Issue Fresh Guidelines As Scorching Heatwave Grips City
Wildfires Spread the Problem Coast to Coast
Historically, air pollution was considered a predominantly western U.S. issue. However, wildfire smoke from as far away as Canada created hazardous air conditions in the northeastern states in 2023. This unprecedented spread of smoke affected places that had never previously dealt with such high levels of air contamination.
Kevin Stewart, an environmental health expert at the Lung Association, admitted the extent of the damage was worse than anticipated. “We knew wildfires would impact air quality,” he said, “but we didn’t expect it to affect such a wide swath of the country, especially the Northeast.”
Regulatory Rollbacks Raise Red Flags
Adding to the concerns are recent moves by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reverse more than 30 regulations aimed at curbing emissions and improving air quality. These rollbacks target vehicle emission standards and industrial pollution controls—tools that have been essential in protecting public health.
While EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin argues that deregulation will stimulate economic growth and reduce consumer costs, health advocates strongly disagree. “These changes threaten to erase decades of progress,” warned Bender. “When environmental safeguards are dismantled, it’s people—especially vulnerable communities—who pay the price.”
Health Consequences: More Than Just Coughing
Air pollution is more than a nuisance—it poses a serious public health threat. Chronic exposure is linked to numerous illnesses including asthma, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and even neurological decline. Vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, and those with existing health conditions face the greatest risk.
Kezia Ofosu Atta, an advocacy director for the American Lung Association, stressed the long-term damage being done. “We’re seeing increased ER visits, especially among children with asthma. Pregnant women are giving birth to underweight babies. These aren’t abstract threats—they’re real, measurable harms.”
A Disproportionate Burden on Black Americans
The report also shines a light on environmental injustice, noting that Black communities are disproportionately exposed to poor air. These communities experience higher rates of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions as a result.
As the climate crisis intensifies and regulatory protections wane, experts caution that the fight for clean air is far from over. The current trajectory suggests that without urgent action, even more Americans may find themselves gasping for breath in the years to come.
Read Next
Eva Amurri’s Breast Reduction Journey: Why She Called It “Worth It” Despite Painful Recovery
How we keep this article up to date:
We work with experts and keep a close eye on the latest in health and wellness. Whenever there is a new research or helpful information, we update our articles with accurate and useful advice.
Current Version