Brian Barton
Despite significant improvements in air quality since the 1970s, air pollution remains a pressing issue in the United States, with approximately 140 million people exposed to harmful levels of pollutants. The Clean Air Act, established in 1970, has played a crucial role in reducing pollution, and emissions of the six principal air pollutants have dropped by 78% since its implementation. However, climate change and extreme weather events, such as wildfires, are contributing to worsening air quality, particularly in Western states, and continue to put millions of people at risk. This introduction will explore the current state of air pollution in the United States, the efforts to mitigate it, and the health implications for those exposed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air quality data collection | Conducted at official monitoring sites across the US by federal, state, local, and Tribal governments |
| Air pollutants measured | Fine particles and ozone |
| Air pollution sources | Natural sources such as wildfires and volcanoes, or anthropogenic sources such as transportation, power plants, and manufacturing |
| Health effects of air pollution | Temporary issues like dry coughs, sore throats, and chest infections, as well as serious respiratory conditions like COPD, pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema, aggravated asthma, and heightened risk of cancer |
| Demographic disparities | Communities of color, with 50.2% of people of color living in a county with failing grades for air pollution |
| Most polluted areas | Bakersfield, California for short-term and year-round particle pollution; Los Angeles for ozone pollution |
| Air quality improvement | A 74% reduction in emissions of air toxics from 1990 to 2017 due to regulations and technological advancements |
| Clean Air Act | Enacted by the US Congress in the 1950s, 1970s, and 1990s, providing numerical limits and enforcement mechanisms for air pollution |
| US ranking in world cities | 84 out of 106 world cities in 2020 |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution and health issues
Air pollution is a major threat to global health and prosperity. It is responsible for more than 6.5 million deaths each year globally, a number that has increased over the past two decades. Air pollution in the United States is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. While air quality has improved nationally since 1980, air pollution continues to threaten the health and welfare of Americans.
Vehicles and their fuels are an important contributor to air pollution. In 2014, the EPA issued standards commonly known as Tier 3, which set new vehicle emissions standards and a new gasoline sulfur standard. These rules cut the sulfur content of gasoline, enabling the use of new vehicle emission control technologies and reducing harmful emissions in existing vehicles. Despite these efforts, approximately 140 million people nationwide lived in counties with pollution levels above the primary NAAQS in 2023.
Climate change, conventional air pollution, and ozone layer depletion are major obstacles to improving air quality in the United States. Extreme heat, drought, and wildfires are contributing to worsening levels of air pollution, exposing a growing proportion of the population to harmful levels of ozone and particle pollution. These fine particles in air pollution can be smaller than 1/30th the diameter of a human hair, bypassing the body's natural defenses and causing serious health issues. People who live or work near busy highways, as well as those who work or exercise outside, face increased health risks from air pollution.
The health effects of air pollution range from temporary issues such as dry coughs, sore throats, and chest infections to more serious respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and heightened cancer risk, especially with exposure to carcinogenic materials like black carbon and finely ground silica. Air pollution has also been linked to increased risks of premature birth and lower birth weight in newborns, as well as adverse effects on brain development in adolescents. Ischemic heart disease, strokes, arrhythmias, and heart attacks are other dangerous health issues associated with air pollution exposure.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a critical role in monitoring and regulating air pollution. However, staffing and funding cuts threaten their ability to protect public health effectively.
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The Clean Air Act and its effectiveness
The Clean Air Act (CAA) is the United States' primary federal air quality law, which was initially enacted in 1963 and amended in 1970, 1977, and 1990. The CAA is a comprehensive federal law that gives the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to regulate air pollutants and polluting industries. The EPA develops extensive administrative regulations to carry out the law's mandates, which are implemented through associated regulatory programs. The CAA has been instrumental in reducing the country's air pollution over the past few decades, improving public health, and reducing healthcare costs.
The Clean Air Act has been generally effective in reducing air pollution and improving air quality in the United States. Since its enactment, the total emissions of the six principal air pollutants have dropped by 78% between 1970 and 2023. The Act has also led to a 98% decrease in airborne lead concentrations between 1980 and 2005, and a 74% decline in emissions of air toxics between 1990 and 2017. The EPA estimates that the Clean Air Act has saved trillions of dollars and thousands of lives each year.
However, there are still areas where the Clean Air Act has not been as effective. For example, the San Joaquin Valley experiences poor air quality due to harmful agricultural practices, heavy traffic, and the oil industry. Additionally, in 2023, about 140 million people nationwide lived in counties with pollution levels above the primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The changing climate is also making it more difficult to protect the progress made in air quality, with extreme heat, drought, and wildfires contributing to worsening air pollution.
The Clean Air Act has faced legal challenges from both environmental groups seeking more stringent enforcement and industries seeking to override it. Despite these challenges, the Clean Air Act remains an important tool in the United States' efforts to reduce air pollution and protect public health. The EPA continues to develop national programs and policies to further improve air quality and address the challenges posed by a changing climate.
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Air quality trends and improvements
The United States has made significant progress in improving air quality over the years, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) taking several measures to address air pollution. According to the EPA, air quality based on concentrations of common pollutants has improved nationally since 1980. This improvement is reflected in the reduction of various air pollutants, including lead compounds and air toxics.
One of the notable achievements in air quality improvement in the United States is the phase-out of leaded gasoline, which, along with controls on emissions of lead compounds through the EPA's air toxics program and other national and state regulations, led to a 98% decrease in airborne lead concentrations between 1980 and 2005. After 2005, the EPA methodology for measuring lead changed, making it challenging to compare with earlier numbers. However, emissions continued to decrease, with a further 30% reduction from 2008 to 2017.
In addition to lead compound emissions, the United States has also witnessed a substantial decline in air toxics emissions. Between 1990 and 2017, emissions of air toxics decreased by 74%, primarily driven by the implementation of stationary and mobile source regulations by federal and state authorities, as well as technological advancements. This progress has positively impacted the air quality across the nation.
Despite these improvements, air pollution remains a concern in the United States, with approximately 140 million people living in counties with pollution levels above the primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in 2023. The "State of the Air" report by the American Lung Association highlights that 46% of Americans (approximately 156.1 million people) reside in areas with failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. This issue is particularly prevalent in western states, where extreme heat, drought, and wildfires contribute to worsening air quality.
To address these challenges, the EPA has developed statistical approaches to mitigate the impact of weather conditions on ozone and fine particle pollution. Additionally, the Clean Air Act, a landmark legislation, has played a crucial role in driving pollution reduction for over 50 years. The EPA continues to work towards improving air quality through monitoring, implementing rules, and ensuring enforcement. These collective efforts reflect the United States' commitment to tackling air pollution and safeguarding the health and well-being of its citizens.
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The impact of climate change on pollution
The United States has made significant progress in improving air quality over the years. According to the EPA, between 1970 and 2023, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 78%. Despite this, climate change continues to have a significant impact on pollution levels in the country.
One of the most prominent ways climate change affects pollution is through the combustion of fossil fuels, which releases pollutants that directly degrade air quality. The transportation sector in the US is the largest consumer of fossil fuels, contributing to air pollution and climate change. The Clean Power Plan, announced by President Obama and the EPA in 2015, is an important initiative to reduce carbon pollution from power plants and address climate change. Additionally, the US is transitioning towards renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, which has helped reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Climate change also amplifies pollution by increasing ozone formation and intensifying wildfires. Extreme heat, drought, and wildfires contribute to worsening air quality, exposing more people to harmful levels of ozone and particle pollution. The geographic distribution of air pollution in the US is shifting, with the "State of the Air" report noting that the East Coast is experiencing higher levels of pollution due to wildfires and heat waves.
The health impacts of climate change and pollution are significant. Exposure to fossil fuel pollution increases the risk of various diseases, including heart disease, lung cancer, COPD, lower respiratory infections, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and adverse birth outcomes. Climate change also expands the habitats of disease-carrying organisms, increasing the risk of vector-borne and fungal diseases. Vulnerable communities, including the poor, elderly, and marginalized groups, are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change and pollution.
To address these challenges, the EPA has implemented regulatory programs to phase out ozone-depleting substances and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large sources, such as cars and trucks. These efforts are crucial for mitigating the effects of climate change and improving air quality in the United States.
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Environmental racism and vulnerable communities
Environmental racism in the United States refers to the ways in which communities of colour, particularly Black communities, face greater harm from environmental factors. This term was first used in studies of waste disposal, toxic dumping, and industrial uses. It now includes proximity to power plants and factories, higher exposure to emissions from cars, trucks, and ships, and the disproportionate harm caused by natural disasters.
Environmental racism is closely linked to residential segregation, which itself results from individual and systemic racism, including public policy choices and financial decisions that disempower communities of colour. These communities are often exposed to toxic air pollutants, leading to higher rates of cancer and asthma. For instance, Black Americans are 75% more likely to live near oil and gas facilities. In Chicago, planning, zoning, and land use policies have resulted in polluting businesses being relocated from white communities to African American and Latine ones. Similarly, in Brooklyn, a pipeline is being constructed that will run through heavily industrial neighbourhoods with large Latino and Black populations, contributing to the climate crisis and further harming communities of colour.
The climate crisis could exacerbate existing inequalities and create new ones. Low-income communities of colour already face challenging living conditions and need support. Environmental racism perpetuates a cycle where pollution and industrial land use keep property values low, preventing people of colour from building wealth through property ownership. Political and financial systems like redlining and zoning amplify these inequalities. As a result, communities of colour are concentrated in areas facing greater environmental harm and are more vulnerable to natural disasters.
Environmental racism has also left Black communities especially vulnerable to COVID-19. Studies suggest that environmental racism could have contributed to the wider spread of the virus in communities of colour, beyond higher death rates due to underlying health factors.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2020, the US obtained an overall ranking of 84 out of a total of 106 world cities. The average annual figure was US AQI 40, in comparison to Bangladesh, which was the most polluted country with a US AQI figure of 162.
Most air pollution in the United States comes from energy use and production. This includes burning fossil fuels for transportation, heating homes, and running power plants.
Since 1970, the United States has made significant progress in reducing air pollution. The Clean Air Act, established in 1970, has been crucial in regulating the emissions of harmful air pollutants. Between 1970 and 2023, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 78%. However, in recent years, the changing climate and extreme weather events have made it more challenging to maintain these improvements.
People of color and residents of Western cities, particularly in states west of the Rocky Mountains, are disproportionately affected by poor air quality. Some of the most polluted cities in the United States include Bakersfield, Fresno, Los Angeles, and Visalia, California; Denver, Colorado; and Fargo, North Dakota.
