Air Pollution: The Looming Crisis In The Us

Despite improvements in air quality in the US since the 1970s, nearly half of Americans are breathing in unsafe levels of air pollutants as of 2025, with a report by the American Lung Association (ALA) finding that over 156 million people live in areas with unhealthy levels of soot or smog. This issue disproportionately affects communities of colour, with people of colour being twice as likely to live in a neighbourhood with poor air quality, and Latino Americans being three times more likely. The Trump administration's environmental rollbacks are expected to make this situation worse, with the EPA estimating that pollution rules projected to save 200,000 lives will be cut.

The American Lung Association's 2025 report

The report finds that more than 42 million people live in counties that received an "F" grade for all three air pollution measures. Breathing ozone irritates the lungs, resulting in inflammation, and increasing the risk of lung cancer. Particle pollution can cause early death, heart attacks, strokes, and emergency room visits. These particles can be smaller than 1/30th of the diameter of a human hair, and can cause respiratory issues in people with asthma and other lung diseases, the elderly, pregnant women, and even healthy adults who work or exercise outdoors.

The 2025 report also highlights a shift in the geographic distribution of air pollution back to the eastern United States, after several years of the worst air quality being concentrated in the western states. This shift was influenced by improved conditions on the west coast in 2023, coupled with a deadly heat wave in Texas and wildfires in Canada that drove up ozone and particle pollution levels in central and eastern states.

Bakersfield, California, topped the list for the worst short-term particle pollution for the third year in a row and has the worst level of year-round particle pollution for the sixth consecutive year. Los Angeles is the city with the worst ozone pollution in the nation, a distinction it has held for 25 out of the 26 years of reporting. However, residents of Los Angeles are exposed to unhealthy levels of ozone for 77 fewer days per year, on average, than they were in 2000.

The American Lung Association is urging the EPA to set stronger national limits on ozone pollution to help protect people's health and drive cleanup efforts. The report emphasizes the critical role of the EPA in monitoring and enforcing air pollution regulations, and highlights the potential health risks posed by staffing and funding cuts to the agency.

The impact of the Trump administration's environmental rollbacks

The Trump administration's environmental rollbacks have had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on the state of air pollution in the US.

Trump's administration has been characterised by a rapid pace of environmental rollbacks, with sources stating that more attacks on the environment were launched in his first 100 days in office during his second term than in his entire first term. This has included the removal of the US from the Paris climate accords, the deletion of Joe Biden-era green policies, and the freezing of climate spending.

One of the most notable impacts of the rollbacks has been the weakening of existing environmental regulations. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Trump announced 31 actions to revise pollution standards, including reconsidering whether greenhouse gases pose a public health risk. This is a key finding that underpins US climate rules. The EPA has also finalised rules amending the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants, which will likely have a detrimental impact on air quality.

The administration's actions have also threatened the work of environmental groups. There have been suggestions that Trump may target the tax-exempt status of environmental nonprofits, particularly those that do legal work. This has caused these groups to prepare for the worst and get ready to fight back.

The impact of the rollbacks has also been felt at the state and local levels. For example, the Department of Transportation has sought to remove New York City's congestion charge, which was implemented to reduce car traffic and improve air quality.

The long-term impact of these environmental rollbacks remains to be seen, but they have undoubtedly set back the progress made in improving air quality in the US. Despite improvements in air quality since 1980, with reductions in common air pollutants and their precursors, the rollbacks could slow or reverse these gains.

In conclusion, the Trump administration's environmental rollbacks have had far-reaching impacts on air pollution in the US, weakening regulations, threatening the work of environmental groups, and slowing progress towards improving air quality. The full extent of the impacts may not be known for some time, but they have undoubtedly had a detrimental effect on the nation's efforts to address air pollution.

Air quality in metropolitan areas

Air pollution is a critical issue that affects the health and well-being of people across the United States. Metropolitan areas, in particular, often face significant challenges in maintaining good air quality due to various factors, including industrial activity, vehicle emissions, and energy consumption.

The "State of the Air 2025" report by the American Lung Association provides a comprehensive assessment of air quality in metropolitan areas across the nation. The report ranks cities based on their levels of ozone and particle pollution, with nearly half of Americans living in areas that received failing grades for air quality. Bakersfield, California, for instance, has consistently topped the list for worst short-term and year-round particle pollution. On the other hand, Los Angeles has been ranked as the city with the worst ozone pollution in the nation for the majority of the past 26 years, although the city has seen improvements since 2000.

Particle pollution, which includes emissions from vehicles, factories, and other sources, poses significant health risks. Fine particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, increasing the risk of lung cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory issues, especially for those living or working near busy highways. Ozone pollution, exacerbated by climate change, can irritate the lungs and is also linked to adverse birth outcomes such as premature births and low birth weight.

While there has been progress in air quality improvement over the years, with the Clean Air Act driving pollution reduction for over 50 years, disparities persist. Communities of color are disproportionately exposed to unhealthy air and are more vulnerable due to higher rates of chronic conditions. Additionally, the 2023 report showed a shift in the geographic distribution of air pollution, with the western states experiencing improved air quality while central and eastern states were affected by a wave of smoke from wildfires in Canada, leading to increased ozone and particle pollution levels.

Despite these challenges, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to play a crucial role in monitoring and improving air quality. The EPA develops national programs aimed at reducing air emissions and protecting the health and well-being of Americans. With ongoing efforts and the implementation of regulations, technological advancements, and statistical approaches, there is hope for further progress in improving air quality in metropolitan areas across the United States.

The EPA's role in improving air quality

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has played a crucial role in improving air quality in the United States over the past 50 years. Since its establishment, the EPA has made significant contributions to the science and engineering of air pollution measurement, monitoring, modelling, and control. The agency's research and development capabilities have enabled it to respond quickly and effectively to emerging issues.

One of the key ways in which the EPA has improved air quality is through the implementation of national programs and regulations. For example, the Clean Air Act of 1970, along with its amendments in 1990, has led to substantial reductions in common air pollutants such as particles, ozone, lead, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. The EPA's air toxics program has also played a crucial role in reducing lead compounds emissions, with airborne lead concentrations in the US decreasing by 98% between 1980 and 2005.

The EPA's efforts have resulted in significant health benefits for Americans. For instance, EPA regulations for large sources of mercury, such as municipal waste combustion and medical waste incineration, have helped protect Americans from illnesses and premature deaths associated with exposure to toxic air pollutants. The EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for power plants, implemented in 2012, are another example of the agency's efforts to reduce toxic emissions and protect public health.

In addition to its regulatory role, the EPA also develops statistical approaches to account for weather influences on ozone and fine particle pollution. Recognizing that climate change exacerbates existing pollution problems, the EPA considers the current and future impacts of climate change when designing and implementing its programs, policies, and enforcement activities. By taking a proactive approach to climate change adaptation, the EPA aims to maintain its ability to fulfill its mission of improving and maintaining clean air.

Overall, the EPA's role in improving air quality has been characterized by scientific advancements, regulatory actions, and a commitment to addressing the impacts of climate change. Through its research, programs, and policies, the EPA continues to make significant strides in reducing air pollution and protecting the health and well-being of Americans.

Communities of colour disproportionately affected

While there have been improvements in air quality in the US, with emissions of air toxics declining by 74% from 1990 to 2017, and a 78% decrease in the six principal air pollutants from 1970 to 2023, communities of colour continue to be disproportionately affected by air pollution. A 2024 study by researchers at the George Washington University found that communities of colour across the US are bearing a growing burden of diseases linked to air pollution. The study noted that racial and ethnic disparities in cases of pollutant-linked diseases like asthma increased during the last decade.

The study's findings highlight that people of colour are exposed to higher levels of particulate air pollution, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which has been linked to lung and heart problems. This disparity persists regardless of income level or region. The authors of the study attribute these inequities to systemic racism, with people of colour being pushed closer to sources of pollution due to housing policies and other factors.

Further supporting this, a 2016 study of New Jersey residents found a higher risk of early death from long-term exposure to particle pollution in communities with larger African American populations. Similarly, studies of Atlanta, Georgia, showed that particle pollution increased the risk of asthma attacks in areas with higher poverty rates and among people eligible for Medicaid. These disparities are influenced by factors such as racism, class bias, housing market dynamics, and the location of pollution sources near disadvantaged communities.

The American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report for 2025 also highlights the disproportionate impact of air pollution on communities of colour. Despite overall improvements in air quality, the report found that the burden of living with unhealthy air is not shared equally, with communities of colour being more vulnerable due to higher rates of chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. These disparities have significant public health implications and underscore the need for stronger regulations and targeted policies to address environmental injustices and protect the health of marginalized communities.

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