ATLANTA, GA | April 19, 2023
The Lung Association’s 24th annual “State of the Air” report grades Americans’ exposure to unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone air pollution, annual particle pollution and short-term spikes in particle pollution over a three-year period. This year’s report covers 2019-2021.
“Here in Atlanta and across the Nation, we are seeing ozone pollution improving, thanks in big part to the success of the Clean Air Act. But there is more work to do,” said Danna Thompson, Director of Advocacy for Georgia for the American Lung Association. “Even one poor air quality day is one too many for our residents at highest risk, such as children, older adults, individuals who are pregnant and those living with chronic disease. That’s why we are calling on lawmakers at the local, state and federal levels to take action to ensure that everyone has clean air to breathe.”
Nationally, the report found that ozone pollution has generally improved across the Nation, thanks in large part to the success of the Clean Air Act. However, more work remains to fully clean up harmful pollution, and short-term particle pollution continues to get worse. In addition, some communities bear a greater burden of air pollution. Out of the nearly 120 million people who live in areas with unhealthy air quality, a disproportionate number – more than 64 million (54%) – are people of color. In fact, people of color were 64% more likely than white people to live in a county with a failing grade for at least one measure, and 3.7 times as likely to live in a county with a failing grade for all three measures.
Ground-level Ozone Pollution in Atlanta
Compared to the 2022 report, Atlanta experienced fewer unhealthy days of high ozone in this year’s report. “State of the Air” ranked Atlanta as the 47th most polluted city for ozone pollution, which is a worse ranking compared to its ranking of 51st last year. This year’s report noted the fewest ever number of unhealthy days, despite the worsened ranking and continues to have the fourth poorest air quality in the Southeast. Fulton County earned its first passing grade of a “D” grade for ozone pollution.
Particle Pollution in Atlanta
The report also tracked short-term spikes in particle pollution, which can be extremely dangerous and even deadly. Atlanta’s short-term particle pollution worsened in this year’s report, which means there were more unhealthy days. The area is tie ranked 100th worst for short-term particle pollution. Gwinnett County received a “B” grade for short-term particle pollution.
The 2023 “State of the Air” found that year-round particle pollution levels in Atlanta were slightly higher than in last year’s report. The area was tie ranked 37th most polluted for year-round particle pollution, the same as last year.
The American Lung Association is calling on President Biden to urgently move forward on several measures to clean up air pollution nationwide, including new pollution limits on ozone and particle pollution and new measures to clean up power plants and vehicles. See the full report results and sign the petition at Lung.org/SOTA.
Media Resources
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The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events.
For more information, contact:
Jill Smith
704-818-4138
[email protected]
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