“Air Pollution Crisis: A Backslide in Clean Air Progress Amidst Climate Change”
A recent report from the American Lung Air Pollution Association reveals a troubling trend: Nearly 40% of Americans reside in regions plagued by unhealthy levels of air pollution, marking a regression in the nation’s strides toward cleaner air amid the escalating impacts of climate change.
Air Pollution
This comprehensive analysis, the 25th installment of the American Lung Association’s “State of the Air” report, unveils concerning findings. Between 2020 and 2022, the population exposed to compromised air quality soared to 131 million, a staggering increase of nearly 12 million individuals compared to the previous year.
Alarmingly, the report underscores a surge in “very unhealthy” or “hazardous” air quality days, reaching unprecedented levels in the survey’s history. Katherine Pruitt, the American Lung Association’s national senior director for clean air policy, attributes this worrisome trend to the encroaching effects of climate change, eroding decades of progress achieved through initiatives like the Clean Air Act of 1963.
Pruitt laments, “The impacts of climate change, including heatwaves, droughts, and rampant wildfires, are eroding the hard-won gains in air quality we’ve made over the years. It’s distressing to see so many individuals exposed to air pollution that poses a direct threat to their health.”
Wildfires emerge as a burgeoning source of pollution, presenting a formidable challenge for policymakers. With climate scientists predicting an escalation in wildfire frequency and intensity due to rising greenhouse gas emissions, the detrimental effects of wildfire smoke are poised to exacerbate.
Dr. Lisa Patel, a clinical associate professor at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, underscores the urgency of addressing the root cause: the combustion of fossil fuels. Patel advocates for a transition to renewable energy sources, emphasizing the imperative of political will in effecting meaningful change.
The report’s analysis focuses on ozone exposure, as well as short-term and year-round exposure to particle pollution. Of particular concern are fine particles, capable of infiltrating the respiratory system and precipitating a host of health issues, from asthma to pregnancy complications.
Notably, the report highlights a shift in particle pollution dynamics, with all 25 cities recording the highest levels of daily particle pollution situated in the West, predominantly in California. Pruitt attributes this shift to the confluence of stringent regulations and the compounding effects of climate change and wildfires.
While strides have been made in curbing ozone pollution, with approximately 2.4 million fewer people exposed to unhealthy levels, the overarching trend underscores the urgent need for concerted action to safeguard public health and mitigate the deleterious impacts of air pollution in the face of a rapidly changing climate.
