Air Pollution In The Us: Production And Impact

Air pollution is a pressing issue in the United States, with a significant impact on the health and well-being of its citizens. Despite notable improvements in air quality over the past few decades, driven by regulations such as the Clean Air Act, climate change and other factors have led to a recent stagnation or even worsening of air pollution levels. This has resulted in approximately 140 to 156 million people in the United States being exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution, with communities of colour disproportionately affected. This raises important questions about the United States' contribution to global air pollution and the effectiveness of its efforts to mitigate it.

The US produces 5,130 million metric tons of energy-related carbon dioxide

The United States emitted an estimated 5,130 million metric tons of energy-related carbon dioxide in 2019, according to the US Energy Information Administration. This figure represents the country's contribution to global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, which totalled 33,621.5 million metric tons in the same year.

Carbon dioxide is the most prevalent greenhouse gas, and its presence in the atmosphere contributes to global climate change. The process of carbon sequestration aims to mitigate this issue by capturing and storing carbon dioxide to reduce its atmospheric concentration. Despite the existence of such initiatives, air pollution remains a significant concern in the United States, with approximately 156 million people exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to the American Lung Association's 2025 State of the Air report.

The report further highlights that specific metropolitan areas, such as Bakersfield and Los Angeles, consistently rank among the worst in the country for short-term and year-round particle pollution and ozone pollution. These pollutants have detrimental effects on human health, including respiratory infections, behavioural changes, and an increased risk of developing cancer.

While the Clean Air Act, implemented in the 1970s, has resulted in a 78% decrease in the emission of common air pollutants, recent years have seen a reversal of this positive trend. Climate change-induced factors such as extreme heat, drought, and wildfires have exacerbated air pollution levels, particularly in central and eastern states.

To address these challenges, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed national programs aimed at significantly reducing air emissions. Additionally, the Biden administration's commitment to the Paris Agreement underscores a recognition of the importance of addressing climate change and its impact on air quality.

The Clean Air Act has reduced six common air pollutants by 78%

The United States has made significant progress in reducing air pollution over the years, particularly through the implementation of the Clean Air Act. This comprehensive federal law, first enacted in 1970 and amended several times since, has been instrumental in tackling various air pollution problems and has had a proven record of public health and environmental protection.

One of the key achievements of the Clean Air Act has been the reduction of six common air pollutants by 78% between 1970 and 2020. These pollutants include particles, ozone, lead, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide, all of which pose risks to human health and the environment. The Act has also led to a decline in emissions of key air pollutants, with a 50% reduction since 1990.

The Clean Air Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to regulate air pollutants and polluting industries. It calls for collaboration between state, local, tribal, and federal governments to address air quality issues. The Act has prompted the deployment of clean technologies and innovations that reduce emissions and control costs. For example, the EPA has worked to reduce sulfur in gasoline and diesel fuel, leading to a 90% and 99% reduction, respectively, from pre-regulation levels.

Additionally, the Clean Air Act has helped improve air quality by setting health-based air quality standards and emissions standards based on the latest scientific and technological information. It has also established a national right to safe air, ensuring that dirty industries cannot simply relocate to less populated areas. The Act's partnership programs have been effective in reducing conventional air pollution, improving energy efficiency, and reducing oil imports, all while supporting economic growth.

Despite this progress, air pollution remains a significant issue in the United States. Climate change, extreme heat, drought, and wildfires have contributed to worsening air quality, exposing more people to harmful levels of ozone and particle pollution. Additionally, communities of color are disproportionately affected by air pollution and are more vulnerable due to higher rates of chronic health conditions. While the Clean Air Act has made substantial strides, continued efforts and enforcement of regulations are necessary to ensure cleaner air for all Americans.

Climate change is worsening air quality

The United States has made significant progress in improving air quality over the past few decades, with the implementation of regulations such as the Clean Air Act, which has reduced emissions from transportation, power plants, and manufacturing. Despite this, air pollution remains a pressing issue, affecting the lives and health of millions of Americans. Climate change is a key factor in this, and its impact on air quality is expected to vary across regions.

One of the most significant ways climate change is worsening air quality is by increasing ground-level ozone. The warming climate leads to more hot and sunny days, which in turn increase the amount of ozone at ground level. This ground-level ozone is a greenhouse gas, trapping heat in the atmosphere and contributing to further climate change. The impact of this is felt most in the region where the ozone originates, with the Arctic being a notable example of a region warming faster due to ozone pollution. This increase in ground-level ozone is a challenge for compliance with ozone standards and negatively affects human health, causing respiratory and heart diseases.

Climate change is also increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires, which produce smoke that damages air quality. The smoke from wildfires contains particulate matter, including carbon monoxide, which can travel long distances and affect areas that have not historically dealt with smoke, such as the Midwest, Northeast, and even New York City. The impact of these wildfires on air quality is particularly evident in the western United States, where the “State of the Air” report has shown worsening levels of air pollution, exposing a growing proportion of the population to ozone and particle pollution.

In addition to the direct impacts of wildfires and increased ground-level ozone, climate change is causing earlier and longer springs and summers, leading to higher temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns. These changes can increase people's exposure to pollen and other airborne allergens, which can trigger allergy-related illnesses such as asthma and hay fever. The warming climate also extends the growing season, resulting in more days with high pollen concentrations. These airborne allergens degrade both outdoor and indoor air quality, posing risks to human health.

The effects of climate change on air quality are complex and far-reaching. While the United States has made progress in reducing emissions and improving air quality, the changing climate is creating new challenges. Addressing these issues requires continued efforts to reduce emissions, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and prioritize the health and well-being of communities affected by poor air quality.

The EPA is rolling back 31 environmental rules

Despite improvements in air quality in the United States in recent decades, air pollution is still a problem for almost half of Americans. According to the 2025 State of the Air report by the American Lung Association, around 156 million Americans are breathing in unhealthy air, which is nearly half of the country's population.

In March 2025, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it would undertake 31 historic actions in the "greatest and most consequential day of deregulation in US history". The actions primarily targeted regulations concerning air pollution, energy production for coal plants, and DEI. The EPA administrator, Lee Zeldin, stated that these actions would reduce regulatory costs and hidden "taxes" on US families, making it more affordable to purchase a car, heat homes, and operate a business.

One of the most significant rollbacks was the "Endangerment Finding," a scientific finding by the EPA under the Obama administration that concluded that planet-warming greenhouse gases (GHGs) endanger public health and welfare. This finding allowed the EPA to regulate GHGs under the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) for both mobile sources (cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) and stationary sources (industrial sources) like power plants. By rolling back the Endangerment Finding, the EPA loses its authority to regulate GHGs under the CAA.

Other notable rollbacks include the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), which targeted coal-fired power plants, and the Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards (PM 2.5 NAAQS). The EPA is also reconsidering the mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, which imposed significant costs on the American energy supply. Additionally, the EPA terminated Biden's Environmental Justice and DEI arms of the agency and ended the "Good Neighbor Plan," which expanded federal rules to more states and sectors.

While the EPA claims that these rollbacks will not negatively impact health or the environment, doctors, health experts, and environmental groups have expressed alarm. They argue that any rollback of environmental regulations can have widespread public health impacts, especially for vulnerable communities.

Air pollution disproportionately affects communities of colour

Air pollution is still a pressing issue in the United States, affecting nearly half of Americans. While air quality has improved in recent decades, 140–156 million people nationwide breathed in unhealthy air in 2023. This is largely due to extreme heat, drought, and wildfires, which expose a growing proportion of the population to dangerous ozone and particle pollution.

People of colour are disproportionately affected by air pollution in the United States. Research has shown that communities of colour are exposed to unhealthy air and are more likely to have chronic conditions that make them more vulnerable to air pollution, including asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. This disparity persists across income levels and regions of the country. A study by the EPA-funded Center for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions found that people of colour breathe more particulate air pollution on average and are disproportionately exposed to a regulated air pollutant called fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Exposure to PM2.5 can cause serious health issues, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Historical discriminatory practices, such as "redlining", have contributed to the disproportionate impact of air pollution on communities of colour. "Redlining" involved marking areas with larger Black populations on maps to warn mortgage lenders away from offering loans to people in these areas, leading to a lack of investment and economic disadvantage. As a result, minority and low-income neighbourhoods are more likely to be targeted by industries when deciding where to locate hazardous waste sites and polluting facilities. This has resulted in people of colour being concentrated in areas adjacent to industrial facilities, exposing them to higher levels of air pollutants.

Additionally, pollution sources tend to be located near disadvantaged communities, further increasing exposure to harmful pollutants. Low socioeconomic status has been linked to a greater risk of premature death from fine particle pollution, and communities with higher African American populations and lower median incomes have been found to be at higher risk of health issues related to air pollution.

Addressing these disparities requires effective regulations that tackle environmental injustice and systemic racism. The EPA aims to provide an environment where all people are equally protected from environmental and health hazards and have access to decision-making processes to maintain a healthy living, learning, and working environment.

Frequently asked questions