Helena Joyce
Pollution is one of the most pressing global issues, affecting the health and environment of countries worldwide. It is a major cause of death, with air pollution alone contributing to one in ten deaths globally. In the United States, pollution statistics have shown a complex picture, with improvements in some areas and ongoing challenges in others. While America's air quality has improved since the 1970s, recent data suggests a concerning upward trend in air pollution, with millions still breathing unhealthy air. Additionally, water pollution remains a significant issue, with a large proportion of American lakes being too polluted for recreational and ecological purposes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution levels in the US | Unhealthy levels of air pollution for 46% of Americans (156.1 million people) |
| Air pollution sources | Transportation, power plants, manufacturing, wildfires, wood-burning stoves, coal-fired power plants, diesel engines, etc. |
| Impact of air pollution | Asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, lung cancer, low birth weight, stillbirths, miscarriages, etc. |
| EPA's role | Provides air quality forecasts, ensures polluters clean up, tracks emissions data, sets new air pollution rules, etc. |
| Benefits of clean air measures | Improved health (reduced hospitalisations), economic gains ($30 in economic benefits for every $1 spent on air pollution control), tackling climate change, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution statistics
Air pollution is a combination of outdoor and indoor particulate matter and ozone. It is one of the world's largest health and environmental problems, as it is a major risk factor for premature death and disease. According to the Lancet: Global Burden of Disease, 8.1 million premature deaths annually are attributed to air pollution—that's more than tobacco.
In the United States, air pollution statistics are measured by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Despite the EPA's successes in improving air quality, about 46% of Americans (156.1 million people) live in places with failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. This is an increase of 25 million people compared to the previous year's report.
Since 1980, emissions of common air pollutants and their precursors have been reduced substantially. Airborne lead concentrations in the US decreased by 98% between 1980 and 2005, and since 2008, emissions have continued to decrease by 30% up to 2017. In 2023, about 66 million tons of pollution were emitted into the US atmosphere, contributing to the formation of ozone and particles, the deposition of acids, and visibility impairment.
Despite these efforts, extreme heat, drought, and wildfires are worsening air pollution levels across the US, exposing a growing proportion of the population to health risks. Climate change is making it harder to maintain the progress made in improving air quality, and the distribution of air pollution is shifting from the western states back East.
Communities of color are disproportionately exposed to unhealthy air and are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions that make them more vulnerable to air pollution, including asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.
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Indoor air pollution
Air pollution is a combination of outdoor and indoor particulate matter and ozone, and it is a risk factor for many of the leading causes of death, including heart disease, stroke, lower respiratory infections, lung cancer, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While air pollution is a global issue, indoor air pollution rates tend to be higher in low-income countries due to a reliance on solid fuels for cooking.
In the United States, indoor air pollution is caused by a variety of sources, both inside and outside of buildings. Indoor sources include combustion sources such as tobacco smoke, wood, and coal-burning appliances, and fireplaces, which can release harmful byproducts such as carbon monoxide and particulate matter. Other indoor sources include cleaning supplies, paints, insecticides, and other commonly used products that can introduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Building materials can also be a source of indoor air pollution, such as through the degradation of materials like asbestos or the off-gassing of chemicals from pressed wood products.
Outdoor sources of indoor air pollution include smoke from chimneys, which can re-enter homes and other buildings through open doors, windows, ventilation systems, or cracks in structures. Radon, a known carcinogen and the second leading cause of lung cancer, can enter buildings through cracks or gaps in foundations, especially in areas with contaminated groundwater or soils. Volatile chemicals in water supplies can also become indoor air pollutants when building occupants use the water for activities like showering or cooking. Additionally, pollutants can be inadvertently brought indoors on shoes and clothing.
The health effects of indoor air pollution can be significant. Exposure to indoor air pollutants has been linked to irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and respiratory diseases. Carbon monoxide, a toxic gas found in indoor air, can be lethal even in short-term exposure. Radon, another common indoor air pollutant, is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Additionally, certain indoor air pollutants, such as dust mites, mold, pet dander, and environmental tobacco smoke, are known to trigger asthma attacks in susceptible individuals.
While specific statistics on the prevalence of indoor air pollution in the United States may not be readily available, it is important to recognize that indoor air quality is a critical component of overall air quality and public health. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role in monitoring and regulating air pollution, including indoor air quality, to protect the health and well-being of Americans.
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Outdoor air pollution
The Clean Air Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for pollutants. The EPA is required to periodically review and update these standards to reflect the latest scientific information on how outdoor air quality affects human health and the environment. The EPA's Air Emissions Sources site provides national, state, and local emissions summary data.
The "State of the Air" 2025 report found that even after decades of successful efforts to reduce sources of air pollution, 46% of Americans (156.1 million people) live in places with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. This is nearly 25 million more people than the previous year's report. Extreme heat, drought, and wildfires are contributing to worsening levels of air pollution across the United States, exposing a growing proportion of the population to unhealthy air.
Air pollutants can deposit onto surfaces such as plants, soils, and surface waters. Human exposure to outdoor air pollution is influenced by the composition and magnitude of air pollution, combined with human activity patterns. Determining exposures to outdoor air pollution is complex and requires assessing the amount and type of air pollution, the number of people exposed, and the duration of exposure. While ambient concentration data is useful for characterizing outdoor air quality, it may not fully represent human exposures as people breathe air in various indoor and outdoor environments throughout the day.
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Water pollution
The primary sources of water pollution in the United States are diverse and extensive. One major contributor is nutrient pollution, which arises from farm waste and fertilizer runoff into water bodies, creating oxygen-depleted zones. This form of pollution primarily affects surface water sources. Additionally, outdated or leaking piping and collection systems in some individual systems cause localized water quality issues, leading to combined and sanitary sewer overflows. Poor maintenance of sewer infrastructure results in contamination from leaks, posing significant health risks as wastewater carries diseases such as salmonella, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases.
Groundwater, which supplies nearly 40% of America's drinking water, is also vulnerable to pollution. Contaminants from pesticides, fertilizers, waste from landfills, and septic systems can infiltrate aquifers, rendering the groundwater unsafe for human consumption. Once groundwater becomes polluted, it can be incredibly challenging and costly to remediate, and the effects can persist for decades or even millennia. Furthermore, groundwater contamination can spread beyond its original source, seeping into streams, lakes, and oceans, further exacerbating the extent of water pollution.
The industrialization and rapid urban growth of the 19th century, coupled with a lack of regulation, have also played a significant role in water pollution in the United States. This period saw the unchecked discharge of sewage, toxic chemicals, nutrients, and other pollutants into surface water sources. While laws and regulations introduced in the late 20th century have improved water quality in many water bodies, the control of principal pollution sources, such as domestic sewage, industry, and agriculture, was not effectively regulated until the 1970s.
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Land pollution
In the United States, one of the main causes of land pollution is the accumulation of waste. Americans generate about 300 million tons of municipal solid waste every year, of which half ends up in landfill sites. The average American produces 4.5 pounds of trash per day, and while some of this is recycled, much of it ends up in landfills or on the ground.
Landfills and the waste sector contribute to 20% of global methane emissions. Landfills release methane, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), all of which present health hazards. Improper waste management can also lead to leachate, a toxic substance that forms when garbage decomposes and mixes with discarded fluids and rainwater, contaminating groundwater.
Mining is another significant contributor to land pollution in the US. Metal mining, in particular, generates the vast majority of waste in the country. From 2007 to 2018, on-site land disposal increased by 28%, with the metal mining sector accounting for 70% of total land disposal quantities in 2018. Mining can directly destroy land by leaving large holes in the ground and causing erosion. It also releases toxic chemicals into the air and soil and often leads to deforestation.
Agriculture is also a major source of land pollution. Unsustainable agricultural practices, such as the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, can contaminate the soil and water supply. Animal waste from livestock can also pollute the soil and water. In addition, biosolids, or sewage sludge, used as fertilizers in the past, have been found to contain heavy metals and pesticides that are harmful to the ground.
Other contributors to land pollution in the US include illegal dumping, littering, construction, and urbanization.
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Frequently asked questions
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 25 million people compared to the previous year's report. The report also found that people of colour are more likely to live in communities with failing grades for air pollution.
The main sources of air pollution in the US include transportation, power plants, and manufacturing, and the burning of fossil fuels and biomass. Extreme heat, drought, and wildfires have also contributed to worsening air quality in recent years.
Since 1980, emissions of common air pollutants and their precursors have been reduced substantially. For example, airborne lead concentrations decreased by 98% between 1980 and 2005 due to the phase-out of leaded gasoline and other regulations. However, climate change and increasing industrialization have made it challenging to maintain this progress.
Air pollution is linked to various health issues in the US, including asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, preterm births, low birth weight, and impaired cognitive functioning. It is also a major risk factor for premature death, with 8.1 million premature deaths globally attributed to air pollution annually.
