American Lung Association’s Annual State of the Air Report Finds Mixed Air Quality Results in Colorado

Denver (April 25, 2012)—

The American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2012 report finds that Colorado received mixed grades for ozone (smog) and particle pollution (soot), when compared to last year’s air quality report.

“State of the Air shows that we’re making steady progress in cutting dangerous pollution from the air as a result of cleanup efforts required under the Clean Air Act,” said Natalia Swalnick, Director of Environmental Health for the American Lung Association in Colorado.  “But millions of Americans across the country, including those in Colorado, are still forced to breathe unhealthy levels of air pollution as a result of air quality standards that are outdated.”

Ozone (smog) is the most widespread air pollutant, created by the reaction of sunlight on emissions from vehicles and other sources. When ozone is inhaled, it irritates the lungs, like a bad sunburn. It can cause immediate health problems and continue days later. Ozone can cause wheezing, coughing, asthma attacks and premature death.

When comparing the 2012 State of the Air Report to last year’s grades for ozone pollution:

  • Adams County’s grade improved from a D to a C.
  • Arapahoe County’s grade did not change from a C.
  • Boulder County’s grade improved from an F to a D. 
  • Denver County’s grade improved from a C to a B. 
  • Douglas County’s grade did not change from an F.
  • Jefferson County’s grade did not change from an F.
  • Larimer County’s grade did not change from an F.
  • Weld County’s grade did not change from a C.
  • El Paso County’s grade did not change from a C.
  • Garfield County now has sufficient data to receive a grade for ozone levels, a B.
  • La Plata’s grade did not change from a B.
  • Mesa County’s grade did not change from a B.
  • Montezuma County’s grade worsened from an A to a B.
  • Pitkin County now has ozone monitors but not enough data to receive a grade.
  • Rio Blanco County now has ozone monitors but not enough data to receive a grade.

“Particle pollution can be deadly,” said Dr. Robert L. Keith, Associate Professor of Medicine and Cancer Biology at University of Colorado School of Medicine.  “When you breathe particle pollution, you are inhaling a toxic mix of chemicals, metals, aerosols, ash and diesel exhaust. It can cause asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, emergency room visits and even premature death. There is absolutely no question regarding the need to protect public health from particle pollution.”

When comparing the 2012 State of the Air Report to last year’s grades for 24- hour particulate pollution:

  • Adams County’s grade improved from a C to an A.
  • Arapahoe County’s grade improved from a B to an A.
  • Boulder County’s grade did not change from a B.
  • Denver County’s grade improved from a C to an A. 
  • Douglas County’s grade improved from a B to an A.
  • Jefferson County does not have an air quality monitor for particulate pollution. 
  • Larimer County’s grade did not change from an A.
  • Weld County’s grade improved from a C to a B.
  • El Paso County’s grade for short-term levels did not change from an A,, and the county now has sufficient data to receive a passing grade for annual levels.
  • Mesa County’s grade for short-term levels worsened from a C to a D. 
  • Montezuma County now has sufficient data to receive a grade for short-term levels, an A. 
  • Pueblo County’s grade for short term levels did not change from an A.
  • Rio Blanco County now has particle pollution monitors but not enough data to receive grades.

Fort Collins-Loveland, CO ranked tied for 12th  in the country for cleanest cities for short-term particulate pollution. All counties in Colorado passed for annual levels of particulate pollution. Colorado Springs, CO ranked 7th nationally for cleanest cities for short-term particulate pollution.

State of the Air 2012 grades cities and counties based, in part, on the color-coded Air Quality Index developed by the EPA to alert the public to daily unhealthy air conditions. The 13th annual report uses the most recent, quality-controlled EPA data collected from 2008 through 2010 from official monitors for ozone and particle pollution, the two most widespread types of air pollution. Counties are graded for ozone, year-round particle pollution and short-term particle pollution levels. The report also uses EPA’s calculations for year-round particle levels. The American Lung Association in Colorado urges the public to join the fight for clean air and to learn how to protect themselves and their families from air pollution by visiting www.stateoftheair.org.