American Lung Association Report Finds 152 Million Americans Exposed to Unhealthy Air Pollution

3 million people in the United States live in locations with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. These pollutants include ozone, formed when sunlight interacts with emissions from vehicles, industry, and chemicals, and particle pollution, consisting of tiny particles from sources such as car exhaust, power plants, construction, fires, and dust.

The report states that 129 million people reside in counties receiving failing grades for ozone pollution. Additionally, 62 million people live in counties with failing grades for daily spikes in particle pollution. The report notes that exposure is not uniform, with people of color more than twice as likely to live in areas failing all major pollution measures.

Dr. Afif El-Hasan, a board-certified pulmonologist and American Lung Association spokesperson, stated that areas with fewer socioeconomic resources often face compounded issues, including limited access to healthy food, safe outdoor spaces, and health care.

5 million children live in counties failing for at least one major air pollutant. El-Hasan said children in polluted areas experience decreased lung development, leading to lower lung capacity in adulthood that is not reversible. The findings suggest that air pollution can make infections such as colds, flu, and COVID more severe by compromising the body's defenses.

The Clean Air Act was signed into law in 1970, contributing to progress in air quality over decades. However, the report states that ozone pollution has worsened in many areas, affecting more people than previously, with climate change contributing through extreme heat, drought, and wildfires.

Particle pollution has shown slight improvements but still affects more people than historic lows in the mid-2010s. An example of recent pollution events includes an air quality health advisory issued for New York City and the tri-state area on June 5, 2025, due to high ozone levels, with the Air Quality Index forecasted to reach 101-150, considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to the National Weather Service and Notify NYC.

The American Lung Association recommends limiting outdoor time on days with poor air quality and checking daily conditions. Using high-quality masks like N95 respirators and indoor air filtration can help when pollution levels are high. Exercising indoors on bad air quality days and staying current on vaccines, including flu and COVID shots, may offer protection.

El-Hasan emphasized the importance of maintaining air quality gains through public health policies, noting that air does not respect borders and local efforts benefit the nation. " — Dr.