In a recent report titled "State of the Air," the American Lung Association issued a warning that approximately 39% of the population in the United States lives in areas with air pollution that puts their health at risk. This percentage has seen a significant increase since the previous year's analysis of pollutant data. The findings are especially concerning in certain regions of the country.

The report, which utilizes pollution data collected between 2020 and 2022 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reveals that approximately 131 million Americans were exposed to unhealthy air during this three-year monitoring period. This represents an alarming 10% increase compared to the previous report in 2023, where 11.7 million fewer individuals were regularly exposed to toxic pollutants.

A notable highlight from the report is the disproportionate environmental threat faced by people of color. While emissions of the six most common air pollutants have decreased by 78% since the implementation of the Clean Air Act in 1970, experts warn that climate change has made it more challenging to manage air quality. Rising temperatures, droughts, and unprecedented wildfires in various parts of the country have contributed to spikes in both particle pollution and ozone, endangering millions of people.

The report ranks U.S. cities based on their air quality, focusing on daily particle pollution, annual particle pollution, and ozone levels recorded between 2020 and 2022. Several cities received failing grades due to consistently poor readings on the Air Quality Index, indicating a departure from accepted health standards.

Exposure to particulate matter in the air can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular problems, according to health officials. Disturbingly, the report highlights an upward trend in the number of days classified as "very unhealthy" or "hazardous" for particle pollution over the three-year period. Between 2020 and 2022, there were 135 days categorized as "very unhealthy" and 79 days classified as "hazardous," affecting various counties across ten states.

Furthermore, the report showcases the impact of particle pollution on certain metropolitan areas. Bakersfield, California, has consistently ranked as the worst city for year-round particle pollution for five consecutive years. Other cities, including Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Chicago, Oklahoma City, Augusta, and Corpus Christi, also face significant challenges regarding air quality.

The report also assesses ozone levels, noting that despite improvements in the past two decades, approximately 100 million individuals living in 26 states still reside in areas where ozone levels fail to meet acceptable air quality standards. Extreme heat, lack of precipitation, and wildfires associated with climate change have hindered efforts to reduce emissions, particularly in western states.

Notably, Los Angeles retains its notorious status as the city with the worst ozone pollution in the country. The report reveals that of the 25 metropolitan areas with high ozone levels, California has ten, while Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah collectively account for 12 spots. Only three cities in the eastern U.S., namely New York, Chicago, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, made the ozone pollution list.

The findings of the American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report emphasize the pressing need for stronger measures to address air pollution and protect public health. As the country continues to face the challenges posed by climate change, concerted efforts are required to mitigate the adverse effects of pollution and secure cleaner air for all Americans.