108 Million Americans Live In Areas That Had 100+ Days Of Polluted Air In 2018
Credit to Author: Guest Contributor| Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2020 22:58:07 +0000
Published on January 29th, 2020 | by Guest Contributor
January 29th, 2020 by Guest Contributor
PHILADELPHIA – One-third of all Americans live in areas that suffered through at least 100 days of poor air quality due to air pollution in 2018, according to a new report by Environment America Research & Policy Center, Frontier Group and U.S. PIRG Education Fund. Statistics from 2018 represent the most recent data available. Air pollution increases the risk of premature death, asthma attacks and other adverse health impacts.
“No one should have to experience one day of polluted air — let alone 100 days a year, ” said Ed Johnson, president of Environment America. “Air quality will only get worse as our climate warms, so we have no time to lose. It’s time to clear the air.”
For the report, Trouble in the Air: Millions of Americans Breathed Polluted Air in 2018, researchers reviewed Environmental Protection Agency air pollution records from across the United States. The report focuses on ground-level ozone and fine particulate pollution, both of which are harmful pollutants emitted by burning fossil fuels such as coal, diesel, gasoline, natural gas and other sources such as wildfires.
Note: This count includes air pollution at or above the level the EPA labels “moderate,” indicated in yellow or worse in its Air Quality Index. (PM2.5 refers to fine particulate pollution smaller than 2.5 micrometers)
No region of the country is immune from this problem. In total, 89 large and small urban areas nationwide, plus 12 rural counties, had more than 100 days of poor air quality from elevated air pollution in 2018.
“Clean air is not a prescription any physician can write, yet it is a much needed treatment,” said Dr. Neelima Tummala, clinical assistant professor of surgery at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “While the profound consequences on human health are alarming, what gives me hope is that studies show that improved air quality can mitigate these health effects.”
Dr. Tummala pointed to studies showing that a long-term improvement in air quality can lead to improved lung function in children and decreased incidence of asthma.
The report’s troubling findings come at a time when the federal government is further endangering air quality by dismantling protections under the Clean Air Act.
“The data show that America’s existing air quality standards aren’t doing enough to protect our health,” said Elizabeth Ridlington, policy analyst with Frontier Group and co-author of the report. “As the climate warms, higher temperatures and more severe wildfires increase air pollution and the threat to human wellness.”
The report calls on policymakers to reduce emissions from transportation, support clean renewable energy, and expand climate-friendly transportation options with more public transit, bike lanes and walkways. The study also implores the federal government to strengthen ozone and particulate pollution standards, and support strong clean car standards rather than rolling them back.
“Instead of undermining clean air protections, our government — at all levels — should be taking every opportunity to clean up the air we breathe,” said Morgan Folger, clean cars campaign director with Environment America Research & Policy Center. “Since transportation is the most polluting sector of our economy, we need to transition to electric cars, buses and transit.”
Environment America Research & Policy Center is dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We work to protect the places we love, advance the environmental values we share, and win real results for our environment. For more information, visit . The organization is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to getting things done.
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