46 % Americans Breathe Hazardous Smog Exposes Decade-High Pollution

Rahul Somvanshi

Nearly half of all Americans—156 million people—now breathe unhealthy air according to the 2025 State of the Air report.

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Air pollution has reached its highest level in a decade, with climate change effects worsening air quality nationwide.

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A massive shift in pollution patterns occurred in 2023, with Canadian wildfires bringing unprecedented smoke to the Midwest and East.

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Nine states experienced worsening ozone levels in every monitored county—including all counties in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.

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Bakersfield, California maintains its unfortunate distinction as America's most polluted city for particle pollution.

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Los Angeles holds the title for worst ozone pollution—a position it has maintained for 25 of the 26 years the report has existed.

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Only two cities—Bangor, Maine and San Juan, Puerto Rico—earned places on all three "cleanest cities" lists.

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Communities of color face disproportionate pollution exposure, with Hispanic individuals at nearly three times the risk of white individuals.

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What causes such severe health impacts? PM2.5 particles are so tiny they can penetrate deep into lungs and enter the bloodstream.

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Health effects include asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, preterm births, and long-term impacts on child development.

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How can you know if your air is safe? Unfortunately, 72.8 million Americans live in counties with no air quality monitoring at all.

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The American Lung Association warns that EPA funding cuts could leave even more families vulnerable to harmful pollution.

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What solutions exist? Recommendations include cleaner vehicle standards, renewable energy investment, and urban heat-reducing strategies.

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