Bronte Wells
Ozone pollution is a pressing issue that affects countries worldwide. While the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere protects us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, ground-level ozone is toxic and harmful to human health and the environment. In the US, ozone air pollution is the single pollutant that makes breathing difficult for the most people, with 37% of the population exposed to dangerous levels in 2021, 2022, and 2023. This raises the question: Is the US leading the world in ozone pollution levels?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ozone pollution levels in the US | 37% of the population (125.2 million people) were exposed to levels of ozone that put their health at risk in 2021, 2022, and 2023 |
| More than 125 million people live in counties with F grades for ozone smog | |
| 211 counties in 35 states and Washington, D.C., received an "F" grade for ozone levels in 2025 | |
| Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri are among the states that saw an increase in unhealthy days for ozone | |
| California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming experienced a decrease in unhealthy ozone days | |
| Global ozone pollution levels | Air pollution is one of the leading risk factors for death and contributes to the global disease burden |
| Outdoor air pollution caused 4.7 million deaths worldwide | |
| 99% of the world's population lives in places where air quality exceeds the annual WHO guideline limits | |
| Causes of ozone pollution | Nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and sunlight |
| Fossil fuel combustion, industrial activity, and agricultural practices | |
| Health effects of ozone pollution | Attacks lung tissue |
| Increases the risk of premature death, especially when combined with other risk factors | |
| Causes immediate breathing problems and exacerbates lung diseases such as asthma and COPD |
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What You'll Learn
The US has the highest ozone pollution levels
The US currently has the highest ozone pollution levels in the world. Ozone pollution, also known as smog, is a harmful air pollutant that is formed by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These reactions occur when pollutants from cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources come into contact with sunlight.
In recent years, the US has seen a distressing reversal in its progress in reducing ozone pollution. From 2021 to 2023, approximately 37% of the US population, or 125.2 million people, were exposed to dangerous levels of ozone, posing significant risks to their health. This issue is particularly severe in the Midwest and Plains states, extending down to Texas.
The American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report for 2025 revealed that counties in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri experienced worsening ozone levels, with all monitored counties in these states recording an increase in unhealthy days. This trend is attributed to the impact of climate change, which enhances the conditions for ozone formation and makes it more challenging to improve air quality in affected communities.
Ozone pollution has severe consequences for human health, especially for vulnerable groups such as infants, children, and older adults. It can cause immediate breathing difficulties and increase the risk of premature death, particularly when combined with other risk factors. Additionally, people with pre-existing lung diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), may require additional medical treatment or hospitalization due to the harmful effects of ozone.
To address this pressing issue, policymakers at all levels of government must take decisive action to improve air quality. The Clean Air Act has been instrumental in driving pollution reduction over the past five decades, and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a critical role in monitoring and enforcing air quality standards. However, recent staffing and funding cuts threaten the EPA's ability to continue its vital work in protecting public health from the harmful effects of air pollution.
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Ozone pollution's impact on human health
Ozone pollution, also called smog, is an invisible yet dangerous and widespread issue. It is the main ingredient in smog and is formed by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. This occurs when pollutants are emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources.
Ozone pollution is a serious health concern, particularly at ground level where it can be inhaled. It aggressively attacks lung tissue, and even relatively low levels can have adverse health effects. Those most at risk include people with asthma, children, older adults, and those who are active outdoors, especially outdoor workers. Children are particularly vulnerable as their lungs are still developing, and they are more likely to be outside playing when ozone levels are high. Additionally, children are more susceptible to asthma, which is aggravated by ozone pollution, leading to increased school absences, medication use, and hospital visits.
Ozone pollution can also cause immediate breathing problems and increase the need for medical treatment for those with lung diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Studies have shown that even short-term exposure can lead to greater obstruction of airways, as seen in a study of lifeguards in Galveston, Texas, where higher ozone levels at the end of the day were linked to increased airway obstruction. Furthermore, ozone exposure has been linked to premature death, particularly when combined with other risk factors. Research has consistently shown that the risk of premature death rises with increasing ozone levels, even in the presence of other pollutants.
The impact of ozone pollution on human health is a pressing issue in the United States, with 37% of the population (approximately 125.2 million people) exposed to unhealthy ozone levels in 2021, 2022, and 2023. This includes vulnerable groups such as infants, children, older adults, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. While certain western states like California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming have shown improvements, a large swath of states extending from the Midwest and Plains down to Texas has experienced worsening ozone levels. Climate change further exacerbates the problem by increasing temperatures, which enhance the conditions for ozone formation and make cleanup efforts more challenging.
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The Clean Air Act and its role in reducing pollution
The Clean Air Act is a comprehensive federal law that gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to regulate air pollutants and polluting industries. The law has been instrumental in reducing the country's air pollution over the past few decades. It also plays an important part in the U.S. economy by reducing healthcare costs and absences from work or school.
Federal legislation to address air quality dates back to 1955, but the Clean Air Act as we know it largely comes from bipartisan amendments enacted in 1970, 1977, and 1990. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 included provisions to protect areas that still had clean air, expanding on its previous focus of cleaning up polluted areas. They also included new requirements for areas that weren't meeting clean air standards and tightened the rules around automobile emissions.
The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 represented a major shift and were touted as cost-effective approaches to reducing air pollution. The amendments contained provisions to establish a national permits program, implement the Montreal Protocol to phase out chemicals depleting the ozone layer, and control acid rain with a market-based cap-and-trade program for emissions. The Acid Rain Program has led to substantial reductions in sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions.
The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set national health-based standards for air pollution and to review, update, and enforce these standards. Ensuring that these standards are met and maintained locally is largely left up to the states. The Clean Air Act also calls for state, local, tribal, and federal governments to work in partnership to clean the air. Under the Act, the EPA seeks to provide industries with flexibility in controlling emissions while maintaining accountability for achieving reductions.
The Clean Air Act has successfully driven pollution reduction for over 50 years. EPA staff ensure that air pollution is monitored, write rules to clean it up, and enforce those rules. Despite dramatic progress in cleaning the air since 1970, air pollution in the United States continues to harm people's health and the environment. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, 37% of the population, or about 125.2 million people, were exposed to levels of ozone that put their health at risk.
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The role of climate change in worsening ozone pollution
Ozone pollution, also called smog, is a dangerous and widespread issue. Ozone forms from gases emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources. This includes nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which react in the air in the presence of sunlight to produce ozone.
Climate change plays a significant role in worsening ozone pollution. Firstly, climate change leads to warmer temperatures, which increase the likelihood of high ozone levels. EPA researchers in the United States have projected that summer average daily maximum temperatures will increase by 2-13 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050 and by 4-20 degrees Fahrenheit by 2095. This rise in temperature will have a detrimental impact on air quality and public health.
Secondly, climate change increases the risk of wildfires, which produce smoke and particle pollution that can spread over large distances. This particle pollution can include ozone and other harmful substances. Warmer temperatures also contribute to the formation of ozone. Higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, power plants, and other human-made sources are significant contributors to warming temperatures and increased ozone levels.
Furthermore, certain ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to both ozone depletion and climate change. While efforts to mitigate ozone depletion may positively impact climate change, it is crucial to carefully consider the environmental implications of alternative substances.
The complex interplay between climate change and ozone pollution underscores the urgency of addressing both issues simultaneously. Reducing air pollutant emissions can play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of climate change on ozone levels and, ultimately, on public health.
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The impact of agricultural land use on ozone pollution
Ozone pollution is a pressing issue in the United States, with 37% of the population exposed to unsafe levels in recent years. While climate change and urban settings are significant contributors, agricultural land use also plays a role in ozone pollution.
Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive gas molecule composed of three oxygen atoms. Ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant and a key component of smog. It is not directly emitted into the atmosphere but is formed by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. While NOx is primarily produced by burning fossil fuels, VOCs have various sources, including agricultural activities.
Agricultural practices can be a significant contributor to VOC emissions, which play a crucial role in the formation of ground-level ozone. VOCs are organic compounds that contain carbon and contribute to the production of ozone through complex chemical reactions. Agricultural activities, such as the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and manure, can release VOCs into the atmosphere. For example, ammonia (NH3) is a VOC emitted from agricultural activities like fertilizer use and livestock waste management.
Additionally, agricultural practices can influence the deposition and impact of ozone pollution on ecosystems. The effects of ozone on individual plant species can have cascading consequences on ecosystems, leading to changes in plant communities and interactions. However, the assessment of these impacts is challenging due to the need for detailed crop modelling and the consideration of multiple environmental stress conditions. Collaborative initiatives, such as the AgMIP-Ozone project, aim to improve our understanding by enhancing data collection and analysis through the collaboration of experimentalists and modellers.
In conclusion, while agricultural land use can contribute to ozone pollution through VOC emissions, it is also impacted by the presence of ground-level ozone. The complex interactions between ozone, vegetation, and the environment highlight the need for comprehensive understanding and effective mitigation strategies. By addressing these challenges, we can work towards reducing ozone pollution levels and safeguarding both human health and agricultural sustainability.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but it is one of the leading countries. Other countries with high levels of ozone pollution include those in Europe and Asia.
Ozone pollution, also known as smog, is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These reactions occur when pollutants from cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, and chemical plants come into contact with sunlight.
Ozone pollution can cause serious health issues, especially for vulnerable groups such as infants, children, and older adults. It can lead to breathing difficulties, lung tissue damage, and an increased risk of premature death.
The Clean Air Act has been instrumental in driving pollution reduction for over 50 years. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a critical role in monitoring and regulating air pollution. However, recent staffing and funding cuts may hinder their efforts. States also implement plans to improve air quality in nonattainment areas.
