Meghan Hodges
Despite improvements in air quality since the 1970s, pollution remains a pressing issue in the United States, with nearly half of the population exposed to harmful levels of air pollution, according to the American Lung Association's 2025 report. This equates to roughly 156 million people, a concerning increase of 25 million from the previous year. The report highlights the dangerous health implications of air pollution, including asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, and even premature death. The transportation sector, industrial processes, and waste generation are significant contributors to this issue, with vehicle emissions and wildfires playing a particularly detrimental role.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution in the US | 156 million (46%) |
| Number of people living in areas with failing grades for all three measures of air pollution | 42.5 million |
| People of colour's likelihood of living in a community with failing grades on all three pollution measures | Twice as likely as white individuals |
| Hispanic individuals' likelihood of living in a community with three failing grades | Three times as likely as white individuals |
| Number of tons of pollution emitted into the atmosphere in the US in 2023 | 66 million |
| Number of people living in counties with pollution levels above the primary NAAQS in 2023 | 140 million |
| Number of people living in counties with failing grades for year-round particle pollution | 85-90 million |
| Number of people breathing unhealthy levels of ozone | 25 million more than the previous year |
| Number of people exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution in the US | Nearly half |
| Number of superfund sites in the US | Thousands |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution
The report identifies two of the most widespread and dangerous air pollutants: fine particles and ozone. These pollutants are linked to a range of adverse health effects, including asthma attacks, heart disease, strokes, preterm births, and impaired cognitive functioning. Particle pollution, also known as PM2.5 or soot, originates from sources such as wildfires, wood-burning stoves, coal-fired power plants, diesel engines, and industrial emissions.
Climate change is exacerbating the challenge of maintaining air quality. Extreme heat and wildfires, such as those in Canada in 2023, have significantly impacted air quality in the Midwest and Eastern states, affecting millions of Americans. These events have contributed to an increase in high ozone days and spikes in particle pollution, endangering the health of those exposed.
While regulations like the Clean Air Act, implemented in the 1970s, have led to substantial reductions in common air pollutants over the years, air pollution remains a persistent problem. Despite improvements in certain areas, such as the phase-out of leaded gasoline and controls on lead compound emissions, other sources of pollution, such as coal-fired power plants and diesel engines, continue to pose significant health risks.
Indoor air pollution is another critical aspect of the issue. Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, where pollutant concentrations can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. Indoor pollutants like radon, smoke, lead dust, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds can have detrimental effects on health, particularly for vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, young children, and those with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases.
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Water pollution
Agricultural pollution is the primary source of contamination in rivers and streams, and it significantly impacts other water bodies such as wetlands, lakes, estuaries, and groundwater. The excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, along with animal waste from farms, introduces harmful nutrients, pathogens, and chemicals into water bodies, resulting in depleted oxygen levels and toxic algae blooms. This type of pollution, known as nutrient pollution, is the leading cause of water degradation worldwide.
Industrial activities also play a significant role in water pollution. Various industries discharge wastewater containing heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and other pollutants into water sources. While wastewater treatment facilities process billions of gallons of wastewater daily, reducing the levels of certain pollutants, the treated water is still discharged back into waterways, contributing to their degradation.
Urban runoff is another significant contributor to water pollution in the US. Stormwater runoff carries road salts, oils, grease, chemicals, and debris from impermeable surfaces into nearby waterways. This form of pollution has affected both surface water and groundwater, with the latter being particularly vulnerable as contamination can spread through the connected underground aquifers, rendering them unfit for drinking or agricultural use.
The impacts of water pollution are extensive. Firstly, it poses a direct threat to human health, as unsafe water is responsible for more deaths annually than war and all other forms of violence combined. Moreover, water pollution has severe ecological consequences, damaging aquatic ecosystems and threatening aquatic life. The economic implications are also significant, with polluted water leading to increased medical costs and reduced productivity due to missed workdays.
To address water pollution, various solutions have been proposed and implemented, including municipal and agricultural wastewater treatment, erosion and sediment control, and the regulation of urban runoff. President Biden's infrastructure bill includes funding for water pollution control efforts, with the intention to allocate $43 billion towards improving water infrastructure in collaboration with state, local, and Tribal partners. However, despite these efforts, water pollution remains a pressing issue, and continued commitment and innovation are necessary to safeguard this precious resource.
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Land pollution
In the United States, about 300 million tons of municipal solid waste are generated annually, with half ending up in landfill sites. While modern landfills are designed to prevent harmful chemicals from escaping into the water, landfills remain a significant source of land pollution. Food waste in landfills, for example, contributes to the production of methane and leachate. Illegal dumping and littering also contribute to land pollution. Open dumping, in particular, is a cost-effective practice used worldwide, where waste is placed on top of the ground without any measures to protect the environment.
Another major source of land pollution is industrial and commercial waste. Construction and demolition projects, for instance, create harmful pollutants on a large scale. Mining can also directly destroy the land, producing large holes and causing erosion. It can also release toxic chemicals into the air and soil. The burning of fossil fuels is a leading cause of air pollution, which can also contaminate the land.
Agricultural practices, such as the use of pesticides and chemicals in farming, contribute greatly to land pollution. Animal waste from livestock can pollute the soil and water supply, while factories produce significant amounts of waste, including damaging chemicals. Hazardous waste, including radioactive waste, can also contaminate the soil and groundwater if not disposed of properly.
To reduce land pollution, individuals can recycle, reduce waste, reuse items, and properly dispose of trash. Composting, in particular, can help recycle food waste into fertilizer. Companies can also play a role by using less packaging on products. Additionally, farmers can adopt more sustainable practices, such as using natural ingredients and enrolling in programs that promote sustainable farming.
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Greenhouse gas emissions
The US government has had shifting attitudes towards addressing greenhouse gas emissions. While the George W. Bush administration did not sign the Kyoto Protocol, the Obama administration entered the Paris Agreement, from which the Trump administration withdrew. In 2021, the Biden administration committed to reducing emissions to half of 2005 levels by 2030. In 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which is expected to provide around $375 billion over ten years to combat climate change.
Historically, the US has been the largest emitter of greenhouse gases due to extensive industrial activity, particularly since the Industrial Revolution. In 1850, the United Kingdom produced six times as much carbon dioxide as the next-largest producer, the US. However, in 1911, the US overtook the UK in carbon dioxide production and remained the top producer until 2006 when China surpassed it.
In 2020, 27% of US GHG emissions were from transportation, 25% from electricity, 24% from industry, 13% from commercial and residential buildings, and 11% from agriculture. The burning of fossil fuels was responsible for about 94% of carbon dioxide emissions in the US in 2020. Carbon dioxide emissions have decreased due to the country's transition from coal to natural gas for electricity generation. The richest decile in the US emits over 55 tonnes of CO2 per capita each year.
The EPA has taken several actions to improve air quality and reduce emissions. In 2014, the EPA issued Tier 3 standards, 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 from existing vehicles. The EPA has also designed and developed national programs that will significantly reduce air emissions when fully implemented.
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Health impacts of pollution
While air quality in the United States has improved since the 1970s, air pollution continues to harm people's health and the environment. In 2023, about 66 million tons of pollution were emitted into the atmosphere in the US, contributing to the formation of ozone and particles, acid deposition, and visibility impairment.
Air pollution is a mixture of small particles (pollutants) such as dust, soot, and liquid droplets. The burning of fossil fuels by power plants, automobiles, non-road equipment, and industrial facilities is the main source of these particles. Other sources include dust, diesel emissions, and secondary particle formation from gases and vapors.
Ozone exposure can cause serious short-term and long-term respiratory issues, including chest tightness, coughing, and shortness of breath. It can also worsen symptoms for people with asthma and COPD, increase medication use, and lead to more frequent emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Elevated ozone levels are linked to increased hospitalizations and premature deaths.
Fine particle pollution, or PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, carrying serious health risks. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to premature death, harmful effects on the cardiovascular system, and adverse respiratory effects, including asthma attacks. Researchers estimate that PM2.5 is responsible for over 50,000 premature deaths in the US annually.
Black carbon, a component of particulate matter, is another serious health threat. Populations with higher exposure to black carbon are at increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, asthma, and various types of cancer.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx), produced primarily by the transportation sector, are associated with the development and exacerbation of asthma and bronchitis and an increased risk of heart disease.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2), emitted by the burning of fossil fuels containing sulfur, causes eye irritation, worsens asthma, increases susceptibility to respiratory infections, and impacts the cardiovascular system.
Certain populations are more vulnerable to the health impacts of air pollution. These include children, pregnant women, older adults, individuals with pre-existing heart and lung disease, and people in low socioeconomic neighborhoods and communities. Factors such as proximity to industrial pollution sources, underlying health issues, poor nutrition, and stress can increase the health risks for these vulnerable groups.
To protect their health, individuals in areas with elevated air pollution should limit their time outdoors, especially when pollution levels are high, and stay away from heavily trafficked roads. Wearing masks labeled "NIOSH" with "N95" or "P100" printed on them can also help reduce exposure to harmful particles.
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