Air Quality Alert: Southeast Us Cities In Danger

Poor air quality has been associated with a variety of health issues, including stroke, heart disease, asthma, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In 2023, it was reported that cities in the Southwestern US have the country's worst air quality. The Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale metro area in Arizona was ranked as the worst, with unhealthy air quality on 64.9% of days in 2021. Other cities with poor air quality include Bakersfield, California, and Birmingham, Alabama.

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona has the worst air quality in the US

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona, has some of the worst air quality in the United States. The area consistently falls under ozone warnings and air quality warnings, with the American Lung Association giving it an F for air quality. The region also has the fifth-worst ozone levels in the US.

The poor air quality in the Phoenix metropolitan area is due to a combination of factors, including heavy traffic, industry, and wildfires, which have contributed to high levels of smog. The American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report found that from 2020 to 2022, the US experienced its worst period for air quality caused by particle pollution in the last 25 years. Nearly 4 in 10 Americans, or more than 131 million people, lived in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution in recent years.

The Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area ranks among the worst cities for high-pollution particulate matter days. The high levels of air pollution in the region impact a population of approximately 600,000 people, including many with asthma. The air quality is so poor that it can trigger asthma attacks and send people to the emergency room. The hazy bubble that tends to hang over the Valley is a familiar sight for residents, and high ozone alert days are common during the summer months.

Wildfires throughout the western US have been a major contributor to the area's high levels of particulate matter pollution. While California experienced some of the worst forest fires in 2020, the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area in Arizona has also been susceptible to wildfires, which can create an equal disturbance to air quality. The increase in wildfires, along with other factors such as increased vehicle ownership, has led to the release of many different contaminants into the atmosphere.

To improve air quality in the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department launched a winter campaign to keep the Valley's air clean. However, air quality issues remain a year-long battle, and it will take more than lower exhaust fumes to significantly improve ozone levels.

California cities, such as Bakersfield, have hazardous air quality

California's air quality is considered unhealthy relative to other US states. The state's large population of 39 million, significant port industry, and growing economy create significant emissions from traffic, diesel trucks, construction, agriculture, and domestic sources. California's environmental conditions are also prone to frequent and severe wildfires, with mountainous terrain that traps pollution, and a warm climate that contributes to ozone formation. All these factors contribute to the state's poor air quality.

In 2020, California possibly experienced its worst forest fires, which severely impacted air quality. Cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco experienced numerous days of sustained unhealthy air quality. The wildfire season of 2020 constituted some of the most severe wildfires in recent years, raising pollution levels far above typical local ranges. While wildfires are a temporary source of emissions, they can have a severe impact on monthly and yearly air pollution averages.

The best air quality in California is found in sparsely populated interior cities, where vehicle and industrial emissions are lower and wildfires are less frequent. In 2019, the five cleanest cities for PM2.5 pollution were Yucca Valley, Lee Vining, Twentynine Palms, Los Gatos, and Blythe. However, in 2018, the cleanest cities for PM2.5 pollution included Tahoe City, Martinez, Carmel Valley, Salinas, and Grass Valley. This variation underscores the year-to-year and day-to-day fluctuations in air quality.

Bakersfield, a city in California, exemplifies the state's hazardous air quality. In 2019, 11 of the 15 most polluted US cities were located within 50 miles of Los Angeles, which includes Bakersfield. The city's air quality is influenced by its proximity to agricultural activities, industrial operations, and vehicle emissions. Bakersfield's geographical location also contributes to the concentration of pollutants, with the San Joaquin Valley's topography trapping air pollutants and exacerbating the poor air quality.

Wildfires in the US West negatively impact air quality

While the air quality in the US has improved over the past 50 years, smoke pollution from growing wildfires in the US West has eroded much of that progress. The effects are more pronounced in Western states, where smoke-laden days have become an annual occurrence. Studies have shown that since 2016, wildfire smoke in states like California, Washington, and Oregon has added enough pollution to the air to wipe out nearly half of the total air quality gains made from 2000 onwards.

The US has experienced its worst period of air quality caused by particle pollution in the last 25 years. Nearly 4 in 10 Americans, or more than 131 million people, lived in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution in recent years. The Los Angeles-Long Beach area is the country's worst city for ozone pollution, or smog. A combination of factors, including heavy traffic, industry, and wildfires, have contributed to high levels of smog in the region.

The Bay Area also scores poorly in all three of the report's pollution categories: year-round particle pollution, high-pollution days, and ozone pollution. The Eugene-Springfield area of Oregon ranks fourth for both most high-pollution days and year-round particle pollution. The high levels of air particulate matter pollution in Grants Pass and Medford, located in the southern part of Oregon, impact a population of approximately 309,000.

Smoke from wildfires contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can have negative health effects. These particles are so small that they can cross from the lungs into the bloodstream, driving inflammation throughout the body. Even short-term exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen lung problems like asthma and lead to a range of other health issues, from heart attacks to neurological problems.

Los Angeles-Long Beach is the worst for ozone pollution

The Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan area has the worst ozone pollution in the United States. According to the 2019 State of the Air report, which compared data across 229 metropolitan areas, Los Angeles has the worst ozone air pollution in the country. This is despite the fact that its annual average differed by only 4 micrograms from the number one most polluted city in the US: Portola, California.

Ozone is a gas pollutant formed when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides and organic substances. Vehicle exhaust contains both the nitrogen oxides and reactive organic substances needed to form ozone, so traffic is frequently identified as a leading source of ozone pollution. Los Angeles' air pollution is among the worst in the United States, both for PM2.5 and ozone. PM2.5 is airborne particulate matter measuring up to 2.5 microns in size and is widely regarded as one of the most harmful pollutants to human health. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to health effects such as heart disease, respiratory illness, and premature death. For PM2.5, the greater Los Angeles county contains 9 of the 15 most polluted cities in the United States, according to the 2019 World Air Quality Report.

Ozone and PM2.5 form the smog that Los Angeles is often known for. The summer months of June, July, and August tend to be more polluted than other months for both PM2.5 and ozone. The Los Angeles-Long Beach area's high levels of smog are due to a combination of factors, including heavy traffic, industry, and wildfires. The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach are the two busiest container ports in the United States. Many port operations rely on fossil fuels or diesel to power ships, trucks, and other transportation. While the Clean Air Action Plan of 2006 has helped reduce particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, the ports still produce an estimated 100 tons of smog daily.

Air pollution can have serious health consequences, including triggering asthma attacks, harming lung development in children, and even leading to death. It is estimated that air pollution negatively impacts the US economy by around 5% of the total GDP. Nearly 4 in 10 Americans, or more than 131 million people, live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution. People of color are disproportionately exposed to air pollution, with 63% of the nearly 44 million residents living in the counties with the worst air quality being people of color.

Air quality is graded by the AQI, with higher numbers being unhealthier

Air quality is graded by the Air Quality Index (AQI), with higher numbers indicating unhealthier air. The AQI is a system used to warn the public when air pollution is dangerous. The AQI tracks six widespread air pollutants, including ozone (O3, or smog) and particle pollution (PM10 or PM2.5, tiny particles from smoke, power plants, factories, vehicle exhaust, and other sources). The AQI scale ranges from 0, indicating perfect air quality, to 500, indicating air pollution levels that pose an immediate danger to the public. An AQI value of 50 or below represents good air quality, while a value over 300 represents hazardous air quality. Values at or below 100 are generally considered satisfactory, and values above 100 indicate unhealthy air quality, first for certain sensitive groups of people, and then for everyone as values continue to increase.

In the United States, nearly 4 in 10 Americans, or more than 131 million people, lived in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution in recent years. The American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report found that from 2020 to 2022, the US experienced its worst period of air quality caused by particle pollution in the last 25 years. The report assessed levels of ozone pollution, as well as short-term and year-round exposure to fine particulate matter pollution. The worst city for ozone pollution is the Los Angeles-Long Beach area, where a combination of heavy traffic, industry, and wildfires has contributed to high levels of smog. The Bay Area also scores poorly across all three pollution categories.

While California has experienced some of the worst forest fires, which negatively impact air quality, the rest of the country is also susceptible to wildfires, which can create significant disturbances in air quality. Climate change increases the risk of wildfires and makes it harder to clean up communities where ozone levels are high. In addition, climate change enhances the conditions for ozone pollution to form.

To protect yourself from poor air quality, you can check the air quality forecast in your community and avoid exercising or working outdoors when unhealthy air is expected. Keeping track of the current air quality information in your area can help you take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from the negative health effects of air pollution.

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