Air Pollution: Which National Park Suffers The Most?

Air pollution and climate change are two of the most serious threats to the health of national parks today. A recent report by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) found that 97% of US national parks are experiencing significant or unsatisfactory levels of concern from air pollution. The report also found that 98% of national parks suffer from haze pollution, obscuring the scenic views and landmarks that draw millions of visitors each year. Four of the nation's parks with the unhealthiest air are in California: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve, and Yosemite National Park. These parks are affected by pollution from industrial sources such as oil and gas, agricultural operations, and cars and trucks. NPCA has been working to address these issues by strengthening clean air and climate laws and regulations, putting people first in their advocacy to hold polluters accountable, and engaging park advocates.

California's Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are among the most polluted

The poor air quality in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is not just a concern for visitors' enjoyment of the parks but also for the health of both people and wildlife. The air pollution can cause respiratory issues such as asthma attacks, tightness in the chest, coughing, inflammation, and throat irritation and pain. The pollution also weakens plants and harms sensitive species and natural habitats, threatening the parks' ecosystems.

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been advocating for clean air and a healthy climate in national parks across the country. They have successfully reduced visibility-impairing pollution, closed and cleaned up over 150 park-polluting coal plants, and eliminated a significant amount of climate pollution. In California, the NPCA has worked with environmental and public health groups to address the state's dirtiest air in the San Joaquin Valley, benefiting local communities and adjacent national parks.

Despite these efforts, California's national parks have not seen the same improvements as the rest of the country. The state's parks continue to be affected by pollution from various sources, including agricultural and industrial operations, transportation, and population centers. The report highlights the urgent need for action to protect these treasured natural spaces and the health of those who visit and inhabit them.

The report offers potential solutions, including improved air monitoring, stricter emissions standards for power plants and vehicles, and establishing air quality standards for ozone and fine particulate matter. With these measures, there is hope that California's Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and other polluted parks across the country, can recover from the damaging effects of air pollution.

Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky has poor air quality

Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is known for its scenic river valleys and the world's longest recorded cave system. However, it is also notorious for its poor air quality, which affects both the underground caves and the areas above ground. The park is downwind of numerous sources of air pollution, including power plants, urban areas, and industrial activity in Kentucky and Tennessee. These sources emit harmful pollutants that can travel long distances and negatively impact the park's natural resources, such as water, plants, and wildlife.

The air pollution in Mammoth Cave National Park is primarily caused by nearby coal-fired power plants and industrial operations. The pollutants released into the atmosphere, such as nitrogen and sulfur compounds, contribute to haze formation and reduce visibility in the park. This haze obscures the once-scenic views, affecting both the visitor experience and the health of the local ecosystem. The delicate geologic formations and subterranean ecosystems within the caves are also at risk due to the infiltration of airborne contaminants.

The health impacts of poor air quality in Mammoth Cave National Park extend beyond the ecological consequences. The pollutants in the air can irritate the lungs and respiratory system, causing coughing, inflammation, sore throat, and pain while breathing. These effects can be particularly detrimental to individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, bronchitis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The air pollution in the park has been linked to worsening respiratory illnesses in residents living nearby, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue.

While there have been some improvements in park visibility since the 1990s, Mammoth Cave National Park still falls short of the Clean Air Act's goal of eliminating human-caused impairment. Kentucky's Division for Air Quality (DAQ) has been tasked with developing a plan to reduce haze pollution in the park and other protected areas. However, their initial proposal has been criticised for its lack of accountability for polluters and insufficient measures to cut emissions. Activists and concerned citizens are advocating for stronger action to ensure the protection of the park and the health of its visitors and surrounding communities.

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been actively working to address air pollution in national parks across the country, including Mammoth Cave. They have achieved significant reductions in visibility-impairing pollution and the closure of over 150 park-polluting coal plants. Additionally, they advocate for stronger clean air laws and regulations, holding states and polluters accountable for the industrial facilities that contribute to haze pollution. These efforts aim to protect the ecological integrity of the parks and the health of the people who live in and visit these areas.

Climate change and air pollution threaten Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Climate change and air pollution are detrimental to national parks, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park is no exception. The park is home to the four highest peaks in Texas and the largest exposed fossil reef on Earth, remnants of an underwater world from 260 million years ago. The park also preserves 10,000 years of human history, from early hunter-gatherers to the arrival of ranchers and settlers.

However, the park's views and night skies have been diminished over time due to haze pollution from faraway coal plants and nearby oil and gas operations. The Permian Basin, just east of the park, is the largest petroleum-producing region in North America, emitting harmful pollutants, including methane, a potent greenhouse gas. These emissions harm wildlife and human health and contribute to climate change. Nitrogen and sulfur compounds deposited from the air have negative effects on ecosystem processes, and the park's ecosystem sensitivity to nutrient N enrichment is very high.

The National Park Service works to address air pollution effects at Guadalupe Mountains National Park and other parks across the US through science, policy, and planning. Fortunately, available technology can sharply reduce air pollution, protect the health of southwestern communities, and provide clearer skies. The EPA and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have an opportunity to clean up polluting facilities through the Regional Haze Rule, ensuring Texans can continue to enjoy the park's striking views.

Air pollution in national parks has various sources, including nearby cities, highways, factories, and power plants. It can obscure miles of scenery, negatively affect human health, and harm plants and animals. The NPCA's 2024 report showed a reduction in parks with significant concern levels for "Hazy Skies" and "Unhealthy Air". However, there was a decline in the "Harm to Nature" category due to ozone damage and pollution. Overall, 98% of the assessed national parks suffered from haze pollution, and 96% faced ozone pollution, highlighting the urgent need for measures to curb pollution and protect these treasured spaces.

Four of the most polluted national parks are in California

According to a March 2024 report by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), four of the national parks with the unhealthiest air are in California. These are Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve, and Yosemite National Park. Another California site, Death Valley National Park, also made the top ten list.

The report, which analysed air quality data collected by 399 national parks across the country in 2021, found that 98% of parks suffer from visible haze pollution, and 96% are grappling with ozone pollution that could be harmful to human health. The report also found that 89% of parks suffered from haze pollution, and 85% had air that was sometimes unhealthy to breathe.

California's parks are particularly concerning, as the state has numerous sources of pollution that bleed into wilderness areas. These include car-dependent population centres like Los Angeles, agricultural and industrial operations in the San Joaquin Valley, and trucking and warehouse facilities in the Inland Empire.

NPCA has been advocating for clean air and a healthy climate for national parks and all people. Their efforts have resulted in the reduction of 1.4 million tons of visibility-impairing pollution, the closure and cleanup of over 150 park-polluting coal plants, and the elimination of 171 million metric tons of climate pollution.

NPCA advocates for reducing air pollution and limiting climate threats

National parks are home to some of America's most iconic landscapes and best-preserved cultural and historical sites. However, air pollution and climate change pose significant threats to the health of these parks and the people who visit them. The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is an advocacy group founded in 1919 to protect and enhance the country's national parks.

Additionally, NPCA has been pressing for tackling methane emissions in the short and long term. They have fought against members of Congress and previous administrations who wanted to eliminate methane regulations and have pushed for stronger rules to address methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. Their efforts have resulted in significant reductions in visibility-impairing pollution and climate pollution, as well as the closure of over 150 park-polluting coal plants.

The NPCA's Clean Air Team works tirelessly to address the risks to air quality and climate change, putting people first in their advocacy. Their work includes raising awareness, holding states accountable for industrial facilities that cause haze pollution, and advocating for stronger national air standards. As a result of their efforts, there have been modest improvements in air quality, but much more needs to be done to ensure that parks thrive for generations to come.

The latest "Polluted Parks" report by NPCA reveals that 98% of the assessed national parks suffer from haze pollution, and 96% face ozone pollution that negatively affects human health and nature. This report is a wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need to act now to protect and enhance our cherished national parks.

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