Nearly 40% of people in the US live with unhealthy air pollution, report says

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🗞️ Driving the news: A new report by the American Lung Association reveals that nearly 40% of Americans are living in areas with harmful levels of air pollution 
• The report highlights significant increases in people affected by unhealthy air, especially in the Western U.S., exacerbated by climate change and wildfires

🔭 The context: The "State of the Air" report, tracking data from 2020 to 2022, shows worsening conditions despite historical improvements under the Clean Air Act
 • Notably, particle pollution and ozone levels have deteriorated, particularly affecting Western states that have seen rapid industrial and population growth

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The increasing air pollution is contributing to climate change and poses severe health risks 
• This trend is concerning as it disproportionately affects marginalized communities, exacerbating social inequalities and environmental injustice

⏭️ What's next: The report calls for comprehensive national and global efforts to address air quality. Strategies include reducing emissions from traffic and industry, and stronger regulation and enforcement of environmental standards to mitigate the impacts of air pollution

💬 One quote: "Climate change is causing more dangerous air pollution. Every day that there are unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution means that someone struggles to breathe," said Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association.

📈 One stat: 131 million Americans now live in regions with harmful levels of air pollution, an increase from 119 million in the previous report.

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