US State of Air report is a mixed bag

Over 147 million Americans have been found to be living in areas that are subjected to unhealthy levels of air pollution. According to the new 'State of the Air 2014' report from the American Lung Association, many counties throughout the US have levels of particulate or ozone pollution that could have a negative impact on human health. 

The 15th annual report revealed that although the US as a whole has taken steps to improve air quality, including the reduction of particulate pollution as a whole, air quality is still a significant public concern. Particulate pollution has been linked to a number of illnesses, such as heart disease and lung cancer, and as such it has been a main focus of plans to tackle air pollution.

However, many counties still experience levels that are hugely unhealthy for residents, as well as having an impact on global climate change, which will make it harder to protect human health in the long run. According to the report, the levels of ozone measured in many areas are also worrying as they were worse than 2013's report. Ozone is the most widespread form of air pollution and is a major respiratory irritant.

Harold Wimmer, national president and chief executive of the American Lung Association, said: “We are happy to report continued reduction of year-round particle pollution across the nation, thanks to cleaner diesel fleets and cleaner power plants. However, this improvement represents only a partial victory. 

"We know that warmer temperatures increase risk for ozone pollution, so climate change sets the stage for tougher challenges to protect human health. We must meet these challenges head on to protect the health of millions of Americans living with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. All of us - everyone in every family - have the right to healthy air.”

As well as almost half (147.6 million) of all those living in the US being subjected to unhealthy levels of ozone or particulate pollution, the report found that around 27.8 million people live in counties that were found to have unhealthy levels of the pollutants measured as part of the report.

The metropolitan area that was found to have the worst levels of ozone pollution was Los Angeles, which has had the lowest air quality in 14 of the 15 reports.