Nearly half of people in the United States, about 152.3 million, now live in places with unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to the American Lung Association’s 2026 “State of the Air” report. The annual report, released Tuesday (April 21), highlights growing concerns over two major pollutants: ground-level ozone and fine particle pollution (PM2.5) that threaten the health of millions, especially children and people of color.
The report evaluated official air quality data from 2022 to 2024, grading counties on unhealthy levels of ozone, year-round particle pollution, and daily spikes in particle pollution. More than 129 million people live in counties with failing grades for ozone, a pollutant that forms when sunlight reacts with emissions from cars, industry, and chemicals. Ozone can irritate the lungs, trigger asthma attacks, and may cause premature death, according to the American Lung Association.
Fine particle pollution, or soot, comes from sources like wildfires, diesel engines, and coal-fired power plants. The report found that about 62 million people live in counties that received failing grades for short-term particle pollution, though this is fewer than recent years, it is still much higher than historic lows seen in the mid-2010s. Year-round particle pollution also remains a serious issue, with 75.9 million Americans living in areas that failed this measure.
Children are particularly affected. The report estimates that 33.5 million children, about 46% of those under 18, live in places that received failing air quality grades. Health experts warn that exposure to dirty air during childhood can lead to long-term health problems, including reduced lung growth, new asthma cases, and higher risk of other diseases later in life.
The burden of air pollution is not evenly distributed. The report found that people of color are more than twice as likely as white individuals to live in communities that fail all three pollution measures. Hispanic Americans are more than three times as likely as white Americans to live in such areas.
The report ranks Los Angeles-Long Beach, California, as the city most polluted by ozone, while Bakersfield-Delano, California, tops the list for year-round particle pollution. Only Bangor, Maine, was named as among the cleanest cities for all three pollution measures, compared to five cities in 2024, signaling a worsening trend.
The American Lung Association urges individuals to check daily air quality reports, limit outdoor activities on high-pollution days, and use indoor air filters. The organization also calls on leaders and communities to strengthen air quality policies and protect public health.
Recent Comments