Air Pollution: Improved Or Worsened?

Air pollution is a pressing issue that affects people worldwide. While air quality has improved in some regions due to various regulations and advancements, it has worsened in others due to climate change, wildfires, and policy rollbacks. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air pollution can lead to serious health issues and even premature death. This has led to growing concerns about the impact of air pollution on public health and the environment, with organizations like the EPA and the American Lung Association working to address this issue through monitoring, regulations, and awareness.

Air pollution in the US is getting worse

While there have been significant improvements in air quality in the US since the 1970s, air pollution remains a pressing issue, with almost half of Americans exposed to unsafe levels of air pollutants. This figure has increased compared to the previous year and is projected to rise further due to the climate crisis and the Trump administration's rollbacks of environmental regulations.

According to the American Lung Association's (ALA) annual "State of the Air" report, approximately 156 million people reside in areas with unhealthy levels of soot or smog, marking a 16% increase from the previous year and the highest number in a decade. Soot and smog pose severe health risks, including premature death, asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, preterm births, and impaired cognitive functioning later in life. Particle pollution is also a contributing factor to lung cancer.

The "State of the Air" report for 2025 reveals a shift in the geographic distribution of air pollution, moving from the western states back East. This change is attributed to improved conditions on western states and a deadly heatwave in Texas, along with wildfires in Canada that significantly impacted air quality in central and eastern states. The report also highlights the disproportionate impact of air pollution on communities of color, with people of color being twice as likely as white Americans to breathe unhealthy air.

While the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made strides in reducing air pollution, challenges remain. The EPA's data shows that while emissions of common air pollutants have decreased substantially since 1980, air quality issues persist. In 2023, about 66 million tons of pollution were released into the US atmosphere, contributing to the formation of ozone and particles, acid deposition, and visibility impairment. Despite overall economic growth and technological advancements, the total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 78% between 1970 and 2023.

The Clean Air Act has improved air quality

Air pollution has been a pressing issue in the United States since the 1950s, when federal legislation to address air quality was first introduced. However, the Clean Air Act (CAA), enacted in 1970, has been instrumental in reducing air pollution and improving air quality across the nation.

The Clean Air Act is a comprehensive federal law that gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to regulate air emissions from stationary and mobile sources, such as vehicles, factories, and power plants. The EPA establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and welfare and regulate emissions of hazardous air pollutants. The Act also sets health-based air quality standards and emission standards for sources based on the latest scientific knowledge and available technologies.

One of the key goals of the Clean Air Act was to address the widespread air pollutants that posed significant risks to public health and welfare. As a result of the Act, the EPA has implemented regulations and programs to reduce air pollution, such as the permanent phase-out of leaded gasoline and controls on emissions of lead compounds. These efforts have led to a dramatic reduction in air pollution and prevented hundreds of thousands of cases of serious health effects each year. For instance, between 1980 and 2005, airborne lead concentrations in the US decreased by 98%. Additionally, since 1990, there has been an approximate 50% decline in emissions of key air pollutants, including a 41% decline in fine particulate matter pollution and a 22% decline in ozone pollution.

The Clean Air Act has also played a crucial role in combating climate change and protecting the environment. It has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions and addressed issues such as acid rain, urban air pollution, toxic air emissions, and stratospheric ozone depletion. The Act has been amended multiple times, in 1977, 1990, and 2022, to set new goals and strengthen enforcement, demonstrating a continued commitment to improving air quality.

While the Clean Air Act has significantly improved air quality in the United States, there is still work to be done. Despite the progress made, air pollution continues to harm people's health and the environment, especially in communities of color and low-income communities, where polluting facilities are often located. Additionally, recent rollbacks of environmental regulations and programs may lead to an increase in air pollution levels in the coming years.

Climate change is increasing wildfires, which damage air quality

Climate change is a significant contributor to the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires. The changing climate, coupled with land management practices and human actions, creates the perfect conditions for wildfires to spread and cause extensive damage. As a result, air quality is significantly impacted, leading to detrimental effects on human health, ecosystems, and agriculture.

The relationship between climate change and wildfires forms a vicious cycle. Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of heatwaves and prolongs droughts, creating an ideal environment for wildfires to ignite and spread. The year 2023 is a testament to this, with Canada experiencing a record-breaking wildfire season, burning seven times more hectares than the 1990–2013 average.

Wildfires produce a noxious mix of chemicals and greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and black carbon. These emissions degrade air quality and have severe health implications. Smoke from wildfires can cause eye and respiratory illnesses, especially in vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly. Additionally, the contamination of water systems with carcinogens and the release of primary biological aerosols, such as plant pollen and fungal spores, further exacerbate the health risks associated with wildfires.

The impact of wildfires on air quality is not limited to the immediate effects of smoke and emissions. The destruction of ecosystems and vegetation by wildfires also contributes to the problem. Vegetation plays a crucial role in climate change mitigation by absorbing carbon dioxide. When wildfires burn through these areas, the carbon stored in the vegetation is released back into the atmosphere, creating a feedback loop that further exacerbates climate change.

Moreover, the impact of wildfires on air quality extends beyond the duration of the fire. The aftermath of a wildfire can also lead to soil erosion and flooding, which can further degrade air quality. Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, is released during wildfires and poses a severe health hazard, especially when inhaled over long periods. This particulate matter can remain suspended in the air long after the fire is extinguished, continuing to affect air quality and human health.

To break this vicious cycle, interdisciplinary science and research are key. Communities, forest managers, and policymakers must work together to implement preventive measures, such as smart zoning rules, fire-resistant design, and fuel removal from high-risk areas. By addressing the interconnected issues of climate change and wildfires, we can mitigate their collective impact on air quality and work towards a healthier and more sustainable future.

People of colour are disproportionately affected by air pollution

While air quality has improved nationally in the US since 1980, with a 78% decrease in the six principal air pollutants by 2023, people of colour continue to be disproportionately affected by air pollution. In the US, areas with above-average Black, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino populations have been consistently exposed to higher levels of air pollutants. This is due in part to past discriminatory decisions, such as redlining, which has led to polluting industries being more likely to locate themselves in minority and low-income neighbourhoods.

A 2021 study by the EPA-funded Center for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions found that people of colour in the US breathe more particulate air pollution on average, regardless of income level or region. This is supported by a 2016 study of New Jersey residents, which found that the risk of dying early from long-term exposure to particle pollution was higher in communities with larger African American populations. The authors of the 2021 study noted that racial-ethnic exposure disparities continue to persist due to a legacy of housing policy and other factors, including systemic racism.

In England, people of colour are three times more likely to live in areas with high air pollution, according to research by Friends of the Earth. These areas have pollution levels that are double the World Health Organization (WHO) standards for at least one of the two most deadly air pollutants. The two pollutants are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5), which can cause serious health issues, including asthma, lung cancer, and heart and respiratory diseases.

The American Lung Association (ALA) has also found that people of colour are more likely to live in counties with higher levels of pollution. Non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics were more likely to live in counties with worse problems of particle pollution and ozone pollution, respectively. Additionally, communities with higher African American populations have been found to suffer from higher rates of premature death, with a 2008 study linking this to areas with higher unemployment or higher use of public transportation.

The EPA is committed to improving air quality

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed to improving air quality and protecting human health and the environment. The EPA was created in 1970 by the Nixon government amid increasing protests over unchecked industrial expansion and environmental degradation. Since then, the EPA has made significant progress in improving air quality through various programs and initiatives.

One of the EPA's key strategies for improving air quality is the implementation of national emissions standards and state emission control measures. For example, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 have achieved large health benefits, and further reductions in power plant pollution have been made through state and EPA efforts to cut interstate air pollution. The EPA's air toxics program has also played a crucial role in reducing airborne lead concentrations, with a 98% decrease between 1980 and 2005.

The EPA recognizes the impact of air pollution on vulnerable communities, particularly communities of color that have historically borne the brunt of environmental racism. The EPA is committed to providing annual air toxics data updates to better inform people about their potential risks from these pollutants. The AirToxScreen assessment estimates census tract-level cancer risks based on long-term exposure to air toxics, helping communities understand their potential health risks.

Despite the EPA's efforts, air pollution remains a significant issue, with almost half of Americans breathing in unsafe levels of air pollutants as of 2025. Unhealthy air quality is influenced by various factors, including pollution emissions, natural events such as dust storms and wildfires, and variations in weather conditions. The EPA has developed statistical approaches to account for weather influences on ozone and fine particle pollution, recognizing the complex interplay of factors affecting air quality.

The EPA continues to work towards improving air quality through initiatives such as the Air Quality Index (AQI), which provides daily air pollution information to the public. By addressing air pollution and its health and environmental impacts, the EPA strives to enhance the quality of life for all Americans and protect the nation's air.

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