Which US cities have the dirtiest air? 2024 State of the Air report rankings

Almost two out of five Americans breathe unhealthy levels of air pollution

Almost two out of five Americans breathe unhealthy levels of air pollution during the year. That is 131.2 million of us and 11.7 more people than last year, according to the 2024 State of the Air report by the American Lung Association.

“When we started doing ‘State of the Air’ in 2000, I never imagined that in the 25th edition we would be reporting that more than 100 million people are still breathing unhealthy air,” said Paul Billings with the American Lung Association in a statement. “It’s unacceptable.”

Counties with failing grades for air pollution

• 30 counties across the nation received failing grades for ozone pollution and small particle pollution, daily levels, and annual exposure.
• Only 98 metro areas had passing grades for ozone pollution.
• Only 55 metro areas had passing grades for short-term particle pollution.

Western states have the majority of failing grades

Western states claim the vast majority of the failing grades. California, in particular, is home to 22 of the 30 counties failing in all categories.

Year-round small particle pollution

In terms of year-round small particle air pollution, western states still top the list with 119 counties. The recent toughening of the EPA definition of “unhealthy air” added Midwestern and Eastern counties to the list, too. East of the Mississippi, 47 counties in 12 states failed.

Daily small particle pollution

For the daily particle pollution spikes, the association calculated the number of days each city exceeded 35 micrograms per cubic meter, then weighted each day by the severity of the pollution.

To pass, a city could only have 1% of days that exceeded the limit, which would be 21 days over three years. Across the nation, 112 counties in nine states failed, accounting for 65 million people.

Ozone air pollution

About 100.6 million Americans live in the 125 counties and 26 states with failing grades for ozone air pollution. Only 207 counties receive A grades. On a positive note, that is 2.4 million fewer people living with unhealthy levels from last year.

Cleanest places to live

In the report, 55 cities had no high daily particle days, and 76 had zero ozone days. Only five cities came in with zero high particle and ozone days and appeared on the list of the 26 lowest year-round particle levels. The were:

• Bangor, Maine.
• Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tennessee and Virginia.
• Lincoln-Beatrice, Nebraska.
• Honolulu, Hawaii.
• Wilmington, North Carolina.

The EPA measures six air pollutants but the Lung Association’s report contains only small particle and ozone pollution: “two of the most dangerous and pervasive air pollutants.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
   • Indicator: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
   • Indicator: Proportion of urban population living in areas where air pollution levels exceed the World Health Organization’s Air Quality Guidelines.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
   • Target 13.8: Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing states.
   • Indicator: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to climate change-related impacts, including air pollution from wildfires.

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Source: foxweather.com

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