Pollution's Impact On National Parks: A Worrying Trend

National parks are home to some of the most iconic landscapes and best-preserved cultural and historical sites in the US. However, air pollution and climate change are two of the most serious threats to the health of these parks. Haze pollution, a mixture of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, and volatile organic compounds, reduces visibility and decreases air quality. According to the National Parks Conservation Association, 97% of US national parks suffer from significant or unsatisfactory levels of harm from air pollution. This has detrimental effects on the health of visitors, wildlife, and plants, and permanently damages ecosystems.

Air pollution affects human health

Air pollution is a pressing issue affecting national parks and the people who visit them. Haze pollution, a mixture of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), reduces visibility and air quality. While this is detrimental to the experience of visitors to national parks, it also has a direct impact on human health.

Air pollution can affect everyone, and when breathed in, air pollutants can enter the bloodstream and contribute to coughing, itchy eyes, and the development or worsening of many breathing and lung diseases. This can lead to hospitalizations, cancer, or even premature death. Even levels of air pollution below federal standards can impact human health. Pollutants can cause or exacerbate respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer, and they are especially harmful to those who are already ill.

Certain populations are at a higher risk of experiencing health problems due to air pollution. These include people with lung diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); infants and young children; people who work or exercise outdoors; people with cardiovascular disease; people in poverty or without access to healthcare; people who smoke or are exposed to second-hand smoke; and those who work in occupations with high levels of exposure to contaminated air.

In addition, low-income communities and minority populations are disproportionately exposed to air pollution and are more vulnerable to adverse health impacts. For example, in Minnesota, the asthma hospitalization rate among children in the Twin Cities is more than 50% higher than in Greater Minnesota.

Air pollution also affects people differently based on age, location, and underlying health conditions. Older people, children, and those with pre-existing health issues are more susceptible to the detrimental health impacts of air pollution. Furthermore, socio-economic status is linked to increased exposure, with poorer people often living closer to busy roads or industrial areas, leading to higher levels of air pollution exposure.

The effects of air pollution on human health are wide-ranging and significant, underscoring the importance of implementing measures to reduce pollution levels and protect the health of visitors to national parks and surrounding communities.

Pollution reduces visibility

Haze pollution, a mixture of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, and volatile organic compounds, reduces visibility in national parks. On average, visitors to national parks miss out on 50 miles of scenery—a distance equivalent to the length of Rhode Island. According to the National Parks Conservation Association, haze pollution decreases visibility in Big Bend National Park by as much as 70% on some days.

The 1977 Clean Air Act set a goal of preventing and remedying impaired visibility in the nation's 156 largest and oldest parks, designated as Class 1 areas. In 1999, the Regional Haze Rule was created to regulate this. Texas, for example, is home to two Class 1 areas: Big Bend National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The rule requires states to work with the EPA and other federal agencies to establish a plan every 10 years to address air pollution in the parks.

The Regional Haze Rule is the program under the Clean Air Act responsible for protecting air quality in national parks. However, due to loopholes in the rule, states and polluters can avoid cleaning up their emissions. For instance, Nebraska opted to allow its biggest polluter, Gerald Gentleman Station, to continue operating without basic emission controls, despite the clear demonstration of damage to Badlands and Wind Cave National Parks.

The Clean Air Act has helped improve air quality throughout the nation and the National Park System. However, some laws are not strong enough, and others are not being well implemented. As a result, air pollution continues to harm people and parks with ozone, smog, haze, and climate change.

NPCA (National Parks Conservation Association) works to ensure that the nation's air laws are strong and well-implemented to protect national parks. They advocate for stronger requirements for polluting industries and vehicles and for better standards to achieve clean air and a healthy climate.

The EPA has also played a role in improving air quality in national parks. On February 7, 2024, the EPA announced an updated primary national air quality standard under the Clean Air Act, providing protections for all people against fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5. While the EPA has missed opportunities to extend protections beyond human health to park visibility, animals, and crops, the strengthened primary annual standard is a step in the right direction.

Climate change impacts nature

Climate change is having a profound impact on nature, and this is evident in the pollution affecting national parks. Air pollution, in particular, poses significant risks to the health of plants, animals, and ecosystems within these protected areas.

Ozone pollution, a common issue in national parks, is caused by the reaction of volatile organic compounds with vehicle and industrial emissions when exposed to sunlight. This type of pollution irritates the lungs, making it harder for people and wildlife to breathe, especially those with respiratory conditions like asthma. Additionally, ozone stifles tree and plant growth, impacting the natural landscapes that make these parks so iconic.

Haze pollution, which consists of tiny particles and gases in the air, obscures scenic views and landmarks. On average, visitors to national parks miss out on 50 miles of scenery due to this type of pollution, which is equivalent to the length of Rhode Island. This not only diminishes the experience of visitors but also affects the health of those with respiratory issues.

Climate change-induced threats such as wildfires, drought, sea-level rise, and invasive species further compound the challenges faced by national parks. According to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), 57% of parks face heightened dangers from these specific consequences of climate change.

The sources of air pollution affecting national parks include the burning of fossil fuels by power plants, oil and gas development, vehicles, agriculture, and industrial emissions. These emissions can travel long distances, impacting even remote parks and their surrounding communities.

To address these issues, the NPCA has been advocating for stronger clean air and climate laws, holding polluters accountable, and engaging park advocates to share their personal stories about how pollution and climate change have impacted their experiences in these natural spaces.

While the Clean Air Act has played a role in reducing pollution over the past five decades, recent policy changes have contributed to a reversal of this positive trend. As a result, air pollution is once again on the rise, and the need to strengthen and effectively implement laws to address this issue is more critical than ever.

Pollution affects plants and animals

Air pollution has a detrimental impact on plants and animals in national parks. The burning of fossil fuels, industrial emissions, and vehicle pollution all contribute to this issue. As a result, plants and animals are harmed, ecosystems are permanently damaged, and the health of visitors is negatively affected.

Ozone pollution, caused by the reaction of volatile organic compounds and pollution from cars and industries in sunlight, is one of the most widespread pollutants in national parks. This type of pollution irritates the lungs, making it harder for people and wildlife to breathe. It also stifles tree and plant growth, causing leaves to blacken and wither.

Air pollution can also contaminate water sources, affecting sensitive species and their habitats. Pollution that comes through rain, snow, or fog can alter the soil and water, impacting the plants and animals that depend on these natural resources.

Additionally, climate change poses a significant threat to national parks, with 80% of parks experiencing changes in temperature, precipitation, or early onset of spring. As a result, plants and animals that rely on specific ecological conditions are at risk.

The effects of air pollution on plants and animals in national parks are far-reaching and have the potential to cause long-term damage to these delicate ecosystems.

Pollution travels long distances

Air pollution is a critical issue in national parks, and it can travel long distances to reach even the most remote locations. Pollution sources can be hundreds of miles away from a national park, but the contaminants they emit still find their way into the park's ecosystem. This is due to the ability of air currents to carry pollutants over vast distances.

The Everglades National Park in Florida is a prime example of this phenomenon. On days with high pollution, the average visual range is reduced to just 20 miles, as opposed to the expected 100 miles without pollution. This reduction in visibility is caused by contaminants in the air, which can originate from agricultural burning, industrial facilities, or polluters located hundreds of miles away.

Similarly, Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky struggles with unsatisfactory levels of hazy skies and unhealthy air, both above and below ground. The nearby coal-fired power plants and industrial sources are significant contributors to this issue. The airborne contaminants infiltrate the cave system, impacting the delicate geological formations and the subterranean ecosystems that have been preserved for millennia.

The pollution affecting national parks, and the wider country, stems from the burning of fossil fuels by power plants, oil and gas development, vehicles, agriculture, and industrial emissions, among other sources. This pollution not only obscures scenic views but also poses risks to the health of visitors, staff, and nearby communities.

Furthermore, air pollution can have detrimental effects on wildlife and historic sites within national parks. Ozone, a common pollutant in parks, is formed when volatile organic compounds react with sunlight and pollution from cars and industries. It irritates the lungs, making it harder for people and animals to breathe, especially those with asthma or respiratory illnesses.

The far-reaching impact of air pollution on national parks underscores the importance of addressing this issue at its source. By reducing emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources, we can protect the health and beauty of these natural treasures for generations to come.

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