Air Pollution: America's Ongoing Battle For Clean Air

Air pollution is a pressing issue in the United States, with the latest reports revealing that almost half of Americans (approximately 156 million people) are exposed to unsafe levels of air pollutants, specifically soot and smog. This issue has been exacerbated by the climate crisis and the Trump administration's rollbacks of environmental regulations. The American Lung Association's annual State of the Air report for 2025 highlights the worsening air quality across the country, with only two cities, Bangor, Maine, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, ranked as clean cities. The report also underscores the disproportionate impact of air pollution on communities of color, who are more likely to suffer from health issues related to poor air quality. As the U.S. grapples with the health and environmental consequences of air pollution, the discussion surrounding this topic remains pertinent and urgent.

The Clean Air Act

Air pollution is a pressing issue in the United States, with almost half of Americans exposed to unsafe levels of air pollutants. The Clean Air Act (CAA) is a comprehensive federal law that plays a crucial role in regulating air emissions and protecting public health and the environment.

The EPA has made notable progress under the Clean Air Act, achieving dramatic reductions in air pollution and preventing hundreds of thousands of serious health impacts each year. Since 1990, there has been an approximate 50% decline in emissions of key air pollutants. However, challenges remain, and air pollution continues to harm people's health and the environment.

Despite the efforts of the EPA and the Clean Air Act, air pollution in the United States remains a significant concern. The latest data from the American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report in 2025 highlights the severity of the issue. The report found that 46% of Americans, or approximately 156.1 million people, reside in areas with failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. This issue disproportionately affects communities of color, who are more vulnerable to the health risks associated with air pollution.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Despite dramatic progress in cleaning the air since its founding, air pollution in the United States still affects people's health and the environment. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA works with state, local, and tribal governments, other federal agencies, and stakeholders to reduce air pollution and mitigate its effects. The EPA has also been working to address indoor air pollution, which is not regulated under the Clean Air Act but can cause health problems.

The EPA has taken significant steps to limit greenhouse gas pollution from large sources. For example, between 2010 and 2012, the EPA and the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration issued the first national greenhouse gas emission standards and fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks. The EPA also plays a role in regulating transportation fuel, ensuring that it contains a minimum volume of renewable fuel.

In addition to its work on greenhouse gas emissions, the EPA has issued standards to reduce vehicle emissions and improve fuel quality. The Tier 3 standards, issued in 2014, set new vehicle emissions standards and a new gasoline sulfur standard, reducing emissions from various types of vehicles and lowering atmospheric levels of ozone, fine particles, nitrogen dioxide, and toxic pollution.

Despite the EPA's crucial role in safeguarding public health from air pollution, its work is currently under threat due to significant staffing and funding cuts. These cuts have been attributed to the Trump administration's prioritization of dismantling climate and environmental regulations, policies, and programs. The EPA's ability to address air pollution and protect public health is being compromised, leaving families more vulnerable to harmful air pollution.

Climate change and environmental regulations

Air pollution and climate change are still pressing issues in the United States, with almost half of Americans (156 million people) currently breathing in unsafe levels of air pollutants. This is a 16% increase compared to the previous year and the highest number in a decade. The American Lung Association's (ALA) annual "State of the Air" report for 2025 highlights the worsening air quality across the country, with only Bangor, Maine, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, ranked as clean cities with no spikes in smog or soot.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), created in 1970, plays a crucial role in protecting public health from air pollution. However, the EPA has faced significant staffing and funding cuts, particularly under the Trump administration, which has prioritized dismantling climate and environmental regulations. These cuts have endangered the agency's ability to carry out its vital work, leaving families more vulnerable to harmful air pollution.

Despite the challenges, the EPA has taken several regulatory actions to address climate change and reduce air pollution. The Clean Air Act, for example, empowers the EPA to work with various governmental and tribal entities to combat air pollution. The EPA has also issued standards and regulations to reduce vehicle emissions, such as the Tier 3 standards and the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for passenger cars and light trucks. Additionally, the EPA has targeted the transportation, oil and natural gas, and power sectors as significant sources of climate- and health-harming pollution.

Furthermore, the EPA has addressed hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) through the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020. HFCs, used as replacements for ozone-depleting substances, are potent greenhouse gases. The EPA is working to phase down HFC production and consumption and facilitate the transition to next-generation technologies.

In terms of environmental law and policy, the United States has a mix of common law notions and statutory and regulatory enactments. Federal environmental law takes precedence over similar state and local enactments in areas where the federal government has chosen to act. Citizens' suits are also permitted under many federal environmental statutes, allowing private individuals to enforce environmental laws and recover litigation costs if they prevail.

Air quality across the US

Air pollution continues to be a pressing issue in the United States, with a significant impact on the health and environment of its citizens. Despite past efforts to improve air quality, recent reports suggest that nearly half of Americans (approximately 156 million people) are exposed to unsafe levels of air pollutants, including ozone and particle pollution. This issue is more prevalent in certain regions, with a recent shift in the geographic distribution of air pollution moving back east, affecting central and eastern states.

The American Lung Association's (ALA) "State of the Air" report for 2025 highlights the severity of the problem. It reveals that, compared to the previous year, there has been a 16% increase in the number of people living in areas with unhealthy levels of soot or smog. This air pollution has dire health consequences, including premature death, asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, preterm births, and impaired cognitive functioning later in life. It also increases the risk of developing lung cancer.

The ALA report also underscores the disproportionate impact of air pollution on communities of colour. People of colour are more than twice as likely as white Americans to reside in neighbourhoods with poor air quality, and Latino Americans are three times more likely to be exposed to toxic air pollutants. This disparity is linked to environmental racism, where heavy industry, landfills, and highways have been deliberately located in these communities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), established in 1970, plays a crucial role in addressing air pollution. The Clean Air Act mandates collaboration between the EPA, states, tribes, local governments, and other stakeholders to combat air pollution and mitigate its harmful effects. The EPA has implemented various initiatives, such as the Clean Power Plan, which aims to reduce carbon pollution from power plants, and vehicle emissions standards to lower pollution from transportation. However, the EPA is currently facing significant challenges due to staffing and funding cuts, threatening its ability to protect public health effectively.

While there have been some improvements in air quality in certain regions, such as the west coast, extreme heat waves, droughts, and wildfires have exacerbated air pollution in other areas. These factors, combined with the Trump administration's rollbacks on environmental regulations, have contributed to the worsening air quality across the country.

The impact of air pollution on health

Air pollution is a pressing issue in the United States, with almost half of Americans (approximately 156 million people) breathing in unsafe levels of air pollutants. This problem has worsened compared to the previous year and is projected to further deteriorate in the coming years due to the climate crisis and the Trump administration's rollbacks on environmental regulations. The American Lung Association's (ALA) annual ""State of the Air report" for 2025 highlights the severe health implications of air pollution for Americans.

The main pathway of exposure to air pollution is through the respiratory tract. The inhalation of pollutants can lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout the body, impacting vital organs such as the lungs, heart, and brain. Fine particulate matter, commonly known as PM2.5, is of particular concern as it can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and cause systemic damage to tissues and cells. This can result in reduced lung function, respiratory infections, aggravated asthma, and an increased risk of various diseases, including stroke, heart disease, and cancer.

Ozone, another significant pollutant, is a powerful lung irritant. Inhalation of ozone gas causes inflammation and damage to the delicate lining of the small airways, impacting multiple body systems. High ozone levels induce breathing problems such as chest tightness, coughing, and shortness of breath, even within hours of exposure. Ozone exposure has been linked to increased emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and premature deaths.

Communities of color are disproportionately affected by air pollution and are more vulnerable to its health impacts. They are more likely to reside in areas with higher levels of air pollutants and suffer from chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, which are exacerbated by poor air quality. Additionally, individuals who are pregnant, children, older adults, and those with pre-existing health conditions are more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), established in 1970, plays a crucial role in safeguarding public health from air pollution. However, the agency faces significant challenges due to staffing and funding cuts, threatening its ability to protect Americans from the harmful consequences of air pollution. Despite these obstacles, the EPA has implemented various measures to reduce pollution, such as the Clean Power Plan, vehicle emissions standards, and regulations on large stationary sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

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