Fairbanks' Air Pollution: Why Is It So Deadly?

Fairbanks, Alaska, has some of the worst air pollution in the United States. The city's air pollution levels are driven by bitter temperatures and pollutants, with wood-burning stoves in homes, power plants, cars, and coal contributing to the problem. The unique geographical location of Fairbanks in a river valley with minimal wind results in pooled stagnant air and a lower boundary layer, which causes pollution to be trapped closer to the ground. The high levels of fine particulate matter pollution in Fairbanks have severe health implications, including asthma, respiratory disease, lung cancer, and even premature death. To address this issue, researchers have embarked on projects like the Alaskan Layered Pollution and Chemical Analysis project to study the types of pollutants and develop solutions for the community.

Stagnant air in the city due to low wind speeds

Fairbanks, Alaska, has been ranked as one of the most polluted cities in the United States, with air pollution levels that are unusually high. One significant factor contributing to this issue is stagnant air in the city due to low wind speeds.

Located in a river valley with minimal wind activity, Fairbanks experiences a unique atmospheric phenomenon where the boundary layer, the level in the atmosphere to which heated surface-level air typically rises, is much lower than in other regions. This boundary layer is influenced by natural convection and air movement, which serve to dilute pollution in the atmosphere outside of the Arctic regions. However, in Fairbanks, the close proximity of the boundary layer to the ground results in what researchers describe as "pooled stagnant air."

The stagnant air in Fairbanks traps pollutants in the lower atmosphere, preventing their dispersion. This phenomenon is exacerbated by the city's geographical position, nestled in a valley without substantial wind patterns to facilitate the movement of air. As a consequence, the air in Fairbanks becomes stagnant, creating a concentrated pool of pollutants that pose a significant health risk to residents.

The pooling of stagnant air is a critical factor in the poor air quality of Fairbanks. This phenomenon intensifies the impact of pollution sources such as wood-burning stoves, outdoor burning, power plants, and vehicle emissions. The stagnant air prevents the natural dilution and dispersion of pollutants, leading to a buildup of harmful substances in the air that residents breathe.

To address the issue of stagnant air and improve air quality in Fairbanks, researchers and environmental organizations are working diligently. Efforts include studying the chemical composition of atmospheric particles and developing strategies to regulate emissions. It is crucial to find solutions that can mitigate the impact of stagnant air and reduce the health risks associated with particle pollution in the city.

Pollution from wood-burning stoves

Fairbanks, Alaska, has unusually high air pollution levels, driven by a combination of bitter temperatures and pollutants. Wood-burning stoves in homes continue to be a significant source of pollution in the area. The American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report for 2018 ranked Fairbanks as the most polluted city for year-round particle pollution and the fourth most polluted city for short-term particle pollution. This report highlighted the health risks associated with air pollution, including lung cancer, asthma, cardiovascular damage, and developmental issues.

Wood-burning stoves are a common source of indoor and outdoor air pollution in Fairbanks. The smoke released from these stoves contains a mixture of pollutants, including fine particulate matter, which can have serious health impacts. Fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, often found in areas with wood-burning stoves, has been linked to asthma attacks, chronic respiratory disease, reduced lung function, and increased hospitalisations for cardiopulmonary diseases. The elderly, children, and individuals with chronic diseases are particularly vulnerable to the effects of this type of pollution.

The pollution from wood-burning stoves in Fairbanks is exacerbated by the city's geographical location and climate. Situated in a river valley with minimal wind, the boundary layer that typically dilutes atmospheric pollution in other regions is much lower in Fairbanks, resulting in "pooled stagnant air" that traps pollutants closer to the ground. This stagnant air, combined with the cold temperatures, creates an ideal environment for trapping pollutants emitted from sources such as wood-burning stoves, power plants, and vehicles.

To address the air pollution crisis in Fairbanks, various lawsuits have been filed against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by organisations such as Citizens for Clean Air, Alaska Community Action on Toxics, and the Sierra Club. Despite these efforts, the EPA has repeatedly missed deadlines and failed to implement effective solutions, leading to ongoing health risks for Fairbanks residents. The Alaskan Layered Pollution and Chemical Analysis project, involving researchers from multiple universities, aims to study the types of pollutants, their impact on air quality, and why they become trapped in the Arctic atmosphere.

While the research and advocacy efforts continue, the residents of Fairbanks are exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution, primarily driven by sources such as wood-burning stoves. It is crucial to develop and implement effective strategies to improve air quality and protect the health and well-being of those living in this polluted region.

Poor air quality impacts public health

Poor air quality has a significant impact on public health, and the air pollution in Fairbanks, Alaska, has been described as some of the worst in the nation. The air pollution in Fairbanks has been linked to a range of serious health problems, including an increased risk of premature death, lung cancer, asthma, cardiovascular damage, and developmental and reproductive harm. Fine particulate matter pollution, with particles 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, has been identified as a major concern. Sources of this pollution include outdoor burning, wood-burning stoves, power plants, cars, and coal. These sources release pollutants that can form additional chemicals more harmful than cigarette smoke.

The unique climate and geographical characteristics of Fairbanks contribute to the poor air quality. The city is located in a river valley with minimal wind, which results in "pooled stagnant air" around the city. This stagnant air is driven by bitter temperatures and pollutants, creating a layer of polluted air close to the ground that affects the daily lives of residents.

The high levels of fine particulate matter pollution in Fairbanks have been linked to a range of health issues. This type of pollution is especially dangerous to children, impairing lung development, causing asthma, and weakening the immune system. The elderly and individuals with chronic diseases are also at heightened risk of health complications due to the poor air quality.

The severe air pollution in Fairbanks has led to lawsuits against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing to address the issue. Despite being designated as a ""Serious" nonattainment area for federal air quality standards in 2017, the EPA has missed deadlines and delayed taking action to improve the air quality in Fairbanks. This inaction has resulted in ongoing health risks for the residents of Fairbanks, who are exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution.

The impacts of poor air quality on public health are evident in Fairbanks, Alaska. The high levels of fine particulate matter pollution, exacerbated by the city's climate and geography, pose a serious risk to the health of residents, particularly children and vulnerable populations. The lack of timely intervention by authorities underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to improve air quality and safeguard public health in Fairbanks.

Sources of pollution include cars, coal, and power plants

Fairbanks, Alaska, has been ranked as the most polluted city in terms of year-round particle pollution. This is largely due to the use of wood-burning stoves in homes, which are a major source of particle pollution in the area. Particle pollution, also known as soot, is a mixture of tiny solid and liquid particles that are suspended in the air. These particles can be made up of acids, organic chemicals, soil, dust, and metals.

Cars, trucks, buses, and other vehicles are significant sources of air pollution, releasing harmful pollutants into the atmosphere through the burning of fuel in internal combustion engines. This includes the emission of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons, which have detrimental effects on lung health and can cause and aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma. Additionally, gasoline vapors escape into the atmosphere during refueling and from fuel systems, further contributing to air pollution. To combat this, the federal Clean Air Act of 1990 mandates the implementation of vehicle emission control programs and inspection and maintenance (I/M) emissions testing.

Coal-burning power plants are another major source of air pollution. The burning of coal releases a range of harmful pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, carbon dioxide, mercury, and other heavy metals. These emissions contribute to acid rain, smog, respiratory illnesses, and climate change. The production and transportation of coal also have environmental impacts, including the risk of coal ash impoundment ruptures and the contamination of groundwater.

Power plants that burn fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, are the largest source of carbon pollution, driving climate change. The emission of nitrogen dioxide from these power plants also contributes to the formation of ozone pollution, which is the nation's most widespread air pollutant.

In summary, cars, coal, and power plants are significant contributors to air pollution, including in Fairbanks, Alaska. The burning of fuel, whether in vehicles or power plants, releases a range of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, posing risks to public health and the environment.

EPA's delayed action on air pollution

Fairbanks, Alaska, has some of the worst air pollution in the United States. The city is located in a river valley and is subject to extreme temperature inversions that trap air within the valley at certain times of the year. As a result, pollution from sources such as wood-fired stoves, coal burners, and older oil-fired furnaces becomes trapped within the valley, leading to high levels of fine particulate matter pollution (PM 2.5). This type of pollution has been linked to serious health issues such as asthma, lung cancer, and cardiovascular damage.

Despite the severity of the problem, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been criticized for its delayed action in addressing the air pollution in Fairbanks. In 2009, the EPA declared that portions of the Fairbanks borough were failing to meet federal standards and required the state to draft a plan to improve air quality. However, citizen groups have had to sue the EPA multiple times since then to force them to take action. In May 2017, the EPA reclassified Fairbanks as a "Serious" nonattainment area, setting a deadline of December 31, 2019, for the state to submit a new implementation plan.

The state of Alaska submitted a proposed plan by the deadline, and the EPA issued a completeness finding in January 2020. However, the EPA failed to make a timely completeness determination for a revised plan submitted in December 2020, and as of January 2023, the agency had still not approved or disapproved the plan as required. This delay in taking action has been criticized by citizen groups and health advocates, who argue that the EPA has failed to protect the health of Fairbanks residents.

In January 2025, the EPA announced its proposal to approve Alaska's newest plan for reducing harmful wintertime particulate pollution in Fairbanks. The proposal is the result of significant changes made by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to a plan submitted in 2023, which the EPA had determined would not achieve health-based standards. The EPA's proposal also halts the implementation of an "offset sanction" and a restriction of federal highway funding that was set to take effect in July 2025. While this proposal is a positive development, it remains to be seen whether it will successfully address the air pollution issues in Fairbanks and protect the health of its residents.

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