Recent data from the Environmental Protection Agency shows air quality in certain regions of the U.S. is deteriorating, especially in the Upper Midwest and Northern California.
According to an analysis of year-over-year EPA data by Axios, 62% of metropolitan areas saw an improvement in air quality, primarily driven by reductions in fine particle pollution (PM2.5) in regions like Central California and those east of the Mississippi River.
However, 38% of metro areas experienced worsened air quality, with areas in the Upper Midwest and Northern California being particularly affected, Axios reported.
PM2.5 are tiny particles that can get deep into your lungs, and they're a key part of air pollution. These particles are often used as an indicator of air quality, and their presence can significantly influence air quality index scores.
According to the American Lung Association's State of the Air 2024 report, nearly 4 in 10 Americans -- roughly 131.2 million people -- live in places with unhealthy levels of air pollution. That's 11.7 million more people breathing unhealthy air compared to last year's report.
According to the ALA report, the 30 most polluted counties for ozone and particle pollution are:
• Arizona -- Maricopa, Pinal
• California -- Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Merced, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Clara, Shasta, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare
• Colorado -- Denver
• Michigan -- Wayne
• Nevada -- Clark, Washoe
• New Mexico -- Bernalillo
• Utah -- Salt Lake
More and more research is showing just how harmful poor air quality can be to our health. Polluted air has been linked to a range of serious issues, from complications with reproduction to an increased risk of dementia, worsened asthma and other respiratory problems. As climate change continues to fuel higher levels of pollution, these health risks are likely to get even worse.
To protect yourself, experts recommend regularly checking your local air quality index (AQI) for updates. However, it's important to note that the AQI doesn't account for all pollutants, such as those generated by wildfires, which have been increasingly prevalent in recent years. As a result, air pollution may be more severe than what's reported by weather apps.
Health experts say taking proactive steps to minimize exposure can help mitigate the long-term health risks associated with air pollution.