Today, the American Lung Association released its annual report on air quality, State of the Air 2012. The report, which grades ozone (smog) and particle pollution (soot) levels, indicates that Georgia has varying scores for quality of air, with some areas of the state continuing to rank in the top 25 for pollution.

“The State of the Air report helps measure local air quality in terms that are easy to understand, letter grades,” says Martha Bogdan, President and CEO for the American Lung Association in Georgia. “We are pleased with the areas of the state that scored well, but there is always room from improvement.”

The State of the Air report provides air pollution statistics specific to each state and county (when available) and ranks them with other areas across the nation. Data collected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Air Quality System is used to grade states in three areas – ozone pollution, short-term particle pollution and long-term particle pollution. Ozone pollution, more commonly known as smog and particle pollution, commonly referred to as soot, are distinct indicators of air quality.

Highlights for Georgia in the State of the Air 2012 report include:

Columbus tied for 17^th most polluted in the nation – a decline from 40^th in the 2011 report

Atlanta ranked 24^th for most polluted in the nation – a decline from 30^th in the 2011 report

Three cities were ranked as most polluted for annual particle pollution:

• Augusta tied for 30^th
• Rome ranked 35^th
• Albany ranked 42^nd

Two cities made the list for cleanest cities for ozone pollution:

• Brunswick
• Savannah – Hinesville

Athens – Clarke County made the list for cleanest city for short-term particle pollution

Overall, the results from the State of the Air 2012 report show that air quality improved during 2008-2010 across the nation.  Cleanups to power plants, diesel engines and other sources of pollutants have drastically cut smog and particle pollution from the air we breathe. However, the job is not finished--we need to fulfill the promise of healthy air for all Americans to breathe, by supporting the full implementation of the Clean Air Act

For the past 13 years, the American Lung Association has analyzed data from state air quality monitors to compile the State of the Air report. The ultimate goal of the report is to educate citizens about the air they are breathing in order to protect their health and take steps to make our air cleaner and healthier. To find out more information on how your state and county faired against the rest, please visit: www.stateoftheair.org

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