Air Pollution: America's Deadliest Crisis

Air pollution is a pressing issue in the United States, causing approximately 100,000 deaths annually and contributing to health issues such as asthma, cancer, and heart attacks. While the country has witnessed a 23-year decline in pollution levels until 2017, recent years have seen a concerning uptick. The primary sources of air pollution in the US are diverse and include mobile sources like automobiles, stationary sources like power plants, and area sources comprising smaller emitters like local businesses and residential wood-burning. The burning of fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, industrial processes, and agricultural activities are significant contributors to air pollution, with certain sectors requiring stricter regulations and novel approaches to mitigate their environmental impact.

People of colour and low-income communities are disproportionately affected by air pollution

Air pollution is a serious health threat in the United States, with nearly half of the population living in areas with failing grades for air quality. People of colour and low-income communities are disproportionately affected by this issue, facing higher exposure to pollutants and suffering greater health consequences as a result.

A study by researchers at the EPA-funded Center for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions found that people of colour in the United States breathe more particulate air pollution on average, regardless of income level or region. This is due to the fact that non-white areas of the country are more likely to be located near factories, congested roadways, or shipping routes with heavily polluted air. This segregation has resulted in racial and ethnic disparities in cases of pollutant-linked diseases like asthma, heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke.

For example, in metropolitan St. Louis, the areas with the highest air pollution are predominantly populated by Black residents, with 52% of the population in these neighbourhoods being Black compared to 22% in other areas of the same counties. Similarly, in South LA, which is majority Black and Hispanic, residents breathe 50% more pollution than those in the predominantly white neighbourhood of Bel Air, just across town. As a result, residents of South LA have life expectancies up to a dozen years shorter than those in Bel Air.

Low-income communities are also disproportionately affected by air pollution, as factories, power plants, and other polluting facilities are often purposefully built in areas with fewer regulations, which tend to be low-income neighbourhoods. A California study found that over a 30-year period, 245 toxic polluting facilities were deliberately placed in poor communities. These communities are targeted due to their vulnerability, with fewer resources and less political power to oppose the siting of these facilities. As a result, low-income individuals are exposed to higher levels of air pollution and face greater health risks.

The impacts of air pollution on people of colour and low-income communities are serious, with higher rates of asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and premature death. It is important for policymakers and regulators to address these disparities and take action to improve air quality and protect the health of these vulnerable communities.

Wildfires and extreme weather events are worsening air quality

Wildfires and extreme weather events are significant contributors to worsening air quality in the United States. Climate change-induced weather conditions, such as temperature and precipitation changes, increase ground-level ozone and particulate matter, including windblown dust from droughts and smoke from wildfires. These factors have severe impacts on human health.

Wildfires, particularly in Western states, have been a major driver of declining air quality. Smoke from these fires contains fine particles that can cross from the lungs into the bloodstream, causing inflammation and exacerbating respiratory issues such as asthma, COPD, and bronchitis. Research suggests that wildfire smoke may be up to ten times more harmful than other sources of air pollution, leading to increased hospital admissions. The frequency and severity of wildfires are expected to increase due to climate change, posing ongoing challenges to air quality management.

In addition to wildfires, extreme weather events such as flooding and storm surges can damage buildings, allowing moisture to enter and creating conditions conducive to the growth of harmful pollutants like mold and bacteria. These indoor pollutants can have adverse effects on human health, particularly for those with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Climate change is also projected to lengthen pollen seasons and increase pollen production, further exacerbating respiratory issues for susceptible individuals.

The impacts of wildfires and extreme weather events on air quality are not limited to the immediate vicinity of these events. Smoke and pollutants can travel across regions, affecting areas far removed from the initial incident. This was evident when smoky haze from wildfires in Canada obscured the Empire State Building in New York City.

To mitigate the impacts of wildfires and extreme weather events on air quality, preventative measures, such as prescribed fires under controlled conditions, can reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and minimize smoke exposure. Regulatory initiatives, partnership programs, and individual actions, such as using air purifiers and HEPA filters, can also help reduce indoor and outdoor air pollutants. However, addressing the root causes of climate change is essential to achieving long-term improvements in air quality.

Industrial plants and vehicles are major sources of air pollution

Industrial plants, including factories, refineries, and power stations, contribute significantly to air pollution. The burning of fossil fuels, particularly in older power plants that still use coal, releases harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Additionally, specific industries, such as battery recycling facilities, emit toxic substances like lead, which have severe environmental and health impacts.

Vehicle emissions are another significant source of air pollution. Cars, trucks, and other transportation facilities release various gases and chemicals, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone or smog. Even with reduced car traffic during the COVID-19 restrictions, pollution levels remained high, indicating the substantial impact of industrial sources.

Furthermore, the increase in vehicle ownership across the country exacerbates air pollution. The combustion processes associated with vehicles emit contaminants and particulate matter (PM10 or PM2.5). Traffic on road surfaces generates dust and contributes to the presence of harmful pollutants in the air, particularly in urban areas.

Air pollution from industrial plants and vehicles has severe health consequences. It can trigger asthma attacks, worsen asthma symptoms, harm lung development in children, and increase the risk of lung cancer. Additionally, air pollution is linked to higher rates of cancer incidence and mortality among African Americans and Hispanics.

Addressing air pollution from industrial plants and vehicles requires a combination of regulatory measures and technological advancements. The Clean Air Act has played a crucial role in driving pollution reduction over the years, and government agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are responsible for monitoring and enforcing air quality standards. However, staffing and funding cuts threaten the effectiveness of these organizations in combating air pollution.

Air pollution increases the risk of asthma, lung cancer, and other serious illnesses

Air pollution is a serious health threat, and in the US, it disproportionately affects people of color and those with lower incomes. Particle pollution, which is a mix of tiny solid and liquid particles in the air, can be made up of acids, organic chemicals, metals, soil, and dust particles. These particles can enter deep into the lungs and are linked to lung cancer. Outdoor air pollution, such as that coming from vehicle exhaust, coal-fired power plants, and other industrial sources, can cause lung cancer. Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of both men and women in the US. Even lower levels of particle pollution found in the US have been linked to lung cancer, and particle pollution also increases the risk of dying early, heart disease, and asthma attacks.

In addition to lung cancer, air pollution is linked to a wide range of diseases, including stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, trachea, bronchus, and other cancers. It can also worsen asthma symptoms and trigger asthma attacks. Ozone, which is extremely irritating to the lungs and airways, is a particular trigger for asthma. People with asthma are at greater risk from breathing in small particles and irritating gases, which can irritate the airways and make asthma worse.

To protect against the harmful effects of air pollution, individuals can check the air quality index forecast for the day and limit their activity if pollution levels are high. They can also avoid exercising along heavily traveled highways and avoid working or exercising outdoors when air pollution levels are unhealthy. In addition, individuals can take steps to limit their contributions to local pollution sources by not burning wood or trash and not idling vehicles, especially diesel engines.

On a broader level, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a critical role in cleaning up air pollution. EPA staff ensures that air pollution is monitored, writes rules to clean it up, and enforces those rules. However, the EPA is currently facing significant staffing and funding cuts that endanger its vital work.

The Clean Air Act has helped reduce pollution, but climate change is making progress difficult

Air pollution is a serious health threat in the United States, with nearly 102 million people living in areas with poor air quality. People of color and people with lower incomes are disproportionately affected by air pollution, which puts them at a higher risk for illnesses such as asthma, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. In addition, children's health and development are at risk, with exposure to air pollution being linked to adverse effects on lung function and increased lead levels being linked to lower IQs and ADHD symptoms.

The Clean Air Act, signed into law in 1970 and strengthened in 1990, has played a crucial role in reducing air pollution and protecting public health. Between 1970 and 2019, aggregate emissions of common air pollutants dropped by 77%, while the U.S. economy grew. The Act has successfully driven pollution reduction for over 50 years, targeting areas such as acid rain, urban air pollution, toxic air emissions, and ozone depletion. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 included requirements for the EPA to conduct periodic benefit-cost analyses of the impact of the regulations, which have been largely successful.

However, climate change is making it increasingly difficult to maintain progress in reducing air pollution. Climate-driven changes in weather conditions, including temperature and precipitation, are expected to increase ground-level ozone and particulate matter, worsening existing air pollution. Climate change also increases the risk of wildfires, which spread dangerous particle pollution, and contributes to rising sea levels, more extreme weather, heat-related deaths, and the increased transmission of infectious diseases.

In addition, the Clean Air Act is under threat from staffing and funding cuts to the EPA, the government body responsible for monitoring and enforcing air pollution regulations. Despite the EPA's lifesaving role in protecting people's health from air pollution, these cuts endanger their ability to effectively carry out their work.

While the Clean Air Act has made significant progress in reducing air pollution, addressing the challenges posed by climate change and ensuring the continued enforcement of the Act are crucial for maintaining and improving air quality in the United States.

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