Air Pollution's Sickening Impact On Americans

Air pollution is a major threat to global health and prosperity, and it is no different in the United States. The American Lung Association's 2025 State of the Air report found that 46% of Americans, approximately 156 million people, live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution, with nearly 25 million more people breathing unhealthy air compared to the previous year's report. The report also highlights the disproportionate impact of air pollution on communities of color, who are more likely to be exposed to unhealthy air and suffer from chronic conditions that increase their vulnerability to air pollution. The health effects of air pollution are wide-ranging, including respiratory issues, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and adverse birth outcomes. While regulations such as the Clean Air Act have improved air quality in the past, recent rollbacks and the climate crisis threaten to worsen air pollution and its impact on human health.

Air pollution causes asthma, heart disease, and lung issues

Air pollution is a pressing issue in the United States, with nearly half of Americans exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution. This equates to approximately 156 million people, a significant increase from the previous year's report, which saw 25 million fewer people affected. The American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report for 2025 highlights the disparity in air quality across the nation, with certain metropolitan areas, such as Bakersfield and Los Angeles, California, consistently ranking among the worst for particle and ozone pollution.

The impact of air pollution on human health cannot be overstated. It is well established that air pollution causes and exacerbates asthma, heart disease, and lung issues. Ozone, a common air pollutant, is a powerful respiratory irritant that can trigger coughing, asthma attacks, and even shorten life expectancy. Warmer temperatures driven by climate change exacerbate the formation of ozone, making it more challenging to mitigate. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), primarily emitted from vehicle engines, is another significant pollutant. It irritates the respiratory system, penetrating deep into the lungs and causing coughing, wheezing, and pulmonary edema at high levels.

Particulate matter (PM), a mixture of dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets, is another critical component of air pollution. The smallest particles, known as PM2.5, are the most dangerous as they can reach the lungs' alveoli and even enter the bloodstream. These particles have been linked to increased asthma attacks, bronchitis, and other lung diseases, with approximately 16 million childhood asthma cases attributed to PM2.5 annually. Additionally, air pollution increases the risk of lung infections and has been implicated in the development of lung cancer.

The effects of air pollution extend beyond physical health, as it has been associated with impaired cognitive functioning and lower birth weights in babies. Furthermore, communities of color are disproportionately affected by air pollution, facing higher exposure and a greater prevalence of chronic conditions that increase vulnerability to its effects. The burden of air pollution is unequally distributed, exacerbating existing social inequalities.

While regulations such as the Clean Air Act have led to improvements in air quality over the past few decades, the current state of air pollution in the United States underscores the need for continued and strengthened efforts to protect public health. The health impacts of air pollution are far-reaching and significant, affecting millions of Americans and contributing to a range of acute and chronic health issues.

Wildfires, heatwaves, and droughts worsen air quality

According to the American Lung Association's 2025 "State of the Air" report, nearly half of Americans—approximately 156 million people—are exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution. This is an increase of about 25 million people compared to the previous year's report. The report also reveals that specific communities of color are disproportionately affected by poor air quality and are more susceptible to chronic health conditions exacerbated by air pollution, such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.

While there have been improvements in air quality over the past decades due to regulations like the Clean Air Act, extreme heat, droughts, and wildfires continue to contribute to worsening air pollution across the United States. Climate change plays a significant role in this vicious cycle, increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves and prolonging droughts, which, in turn, heighten the risk of wildfires.

Heatwaves are often caused by heat domes, which occur when an area of high pressure remains over the same region for an extended period, trapping hot air underneath. Climate change, particularly the warming of the Arctic, is believed to influence the jet stream, making heat domes more likely. As a result, the air above warms up more quickly, leading to more intense heat and increased demand for water, further exacerbating drought conditions.

Wildfires are also influenced by various factors, including land management and human actions. However, climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of these fires. For example, the 2023 wildfire season in Canada set a multi-decade record, with seven times more hectares burned than the average from 1990 to 2013. Smoke from these wildfires contains a mix of chemicals that negatively impact air quality, human health, ecosystems, and agriculture.

The combination of extreme heat and wildfires has led to increased ozone levels in many parts of the United States, particularly in central states from Minnesota to Texas. Ozone pollution, often referred to as smog, acts as a powerful respiratory irritant, causing shortness of breath, triggering coughing and asthma attacks, and potentially reducing life expectancy.

People of colour are disproportionately impacted by air pollution

Air pollution is a pressing issue in the United States, with approximately a quarter of Americans, roughly 119 million people, living with polluted air that poses serious health risks. Among those affected, people of color are disproportionately impacted by air pollution, facing higher exposure and more severe health consequences. This disparity persists across regions and income levels, indicating that it is not solely driven by socioeconomic factors.

People of color in the United States, including Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans, experience higher exposure to various types of pollution sources, such as industry, agriculture, vehicles, and construction. A study by researchers at the EPA-funded Center for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions found that people of color breathe more particulate air pollution, specifically fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which has been linked to lung and heart problems. This disparity is not limited to a specific region or income level, indicating systemic factors at play.

Historical housing policies and racial segregation have played a significant role in this disparity. Redlining and discriminatory practices have resulted in communities of color being located near heavily polluted areas, such as factories, congested roadways, and shipping routes. This has led to higher exposure to harmful pollutants for people of color, regardless of their income or geographical location. Additionally, communities of color tend to have less political power, making them more vulnerable to the placement of polluting sources, such as highways and landfills, in their neighborhoods.

The health impacts of air pollution are more severe for people of color, who are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions that increase their vulnerability. Higher rates of asthma, diabetes, and heart disease have been observed in these communities, making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution. The stress resulting from discrimination and socioeconomic disadvantages may also contribute to the increased health risks faced by people of color.

Addressing this issue requires strong regulations to protect air quality and the implementation of equitable policies that consider the specific needs of marginalized communities. By recognizing the systemic factors contributing to this disparity, policymakers can work towards creating a healthier and more just environment for all Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity.

Air pollution is a mix of human-made and natural substances

Air pollution is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. Human-made air pollution is primarily caused by vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gases, manufacturing by-products, and power generation. This includes emissions from cars, trucks, airplanes, factories, power plants, and coal-fueled plants. Natural sources of air pollution include smoke from wildfires, ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, and gases like methane emitted from decomposing organic matter.

The effects of air pollution on human health are significant and far-reaching. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), indoor and outdoor air pollution is responsible for nearly seven million deaths worldwide each year. In the United States, air pollution has been linked to various health issues, including respiratory problems, asthma, cardiac issues, and increased mortality rates. Research has also found associations between air pollution and cancer, with studies suggesting that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and increased levels of nitrogen oxides can contribute to lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers.

The 2025 "State of the Air" report highlights the extent of air pollution in the United States. It reveals that 46% of Americans, approximately 156 million people, live in areas with failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. This is a concerning increase of 25 million people compared to the previous year's report. The report also underscores the disproportionate impact of air pollution on communities of color, who are more likely to be exposed to high levels of pollution and suffer from related health issues.

While the Clean Air Act, established in 1970, has helped regulate emissions and improve air quality over the years, recent policy changes and rollbacks on air quality regulations threaten to undo this progress. The 2025 report also notes the impact of extreme heat, drought, and wildfires on worsening air quality, exposing more individuals to harmful levels of pollution.

As a mix of human-made and natural substances, air pollution poses a serious threat to public health in the United States. The high number of individuals affected by air pollution underscores the urgency of implementing and enforcing effective policies and regulations to mitigate its harmful effects on human well-being and the environment.

Air pollution is a major cause of premature deaths

Air pollution is a major environmental risk factor for disease and premature death. In 2015, pollution was responsible for approximately 9 million premature deaths worldwide. This figure has been updated, and pollution is now responsible for approximately 9 million deaths per year, or one in six deaths globally. Air pollution alone, including household and ambient air pollution, causes around 6.7 million deaths annually.

The sources of air pollution are multiple and context-specific. Outdoor air pollution is caused by residential energy use for cooking and heating, vehicles, power generation, agriculture/waste incineration, and industry. Indoor air pollution is caused by household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities, and forest fires. The pollutants of major public health concern include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide.

In the United States, air pollution is a significant issue, with nearly half of Americans (approximately 156 million people) exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution. This is a problem that affects Americans across the country, with metropolitan areas such as Bakersfield, California, and Los Angeles, California, ranking among the worst for particle and ozone pollution, respectively. Research has also shown that communities of color are disproportionately exposed to unhealthy air and are more likely to be living with chronic conditions that make them more vulnerable to air pollution.

The health impacts of air pollution are far-reaching and include respiratory problems, asthma, heart attacks, strokes, lung cancer, and other serious health effects. Studies have found a strong association between long-term exposure to air pollution and premature death, with one study concluding that "any level of air pollution, no matter how low, is harmful to human health." Additionally, short-term exposure to air pollution can also be dangerous and lead to an increased mortality rate. Therefore, air pollution is a significant contributor to premature deaths, and efforts to improve air quality and reduce pollution are essential to protect public health.

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