5 Facts About Air Pollution

Photo: David Olah / Istock

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The American Lung Association has released lists of the nation’s most polluted cities in its annual State of the Air report this week. This year’s findings show that improvements have been made in the areas of ozone (smog) and particle pollution (soot) thanks to the Clean Air Act. Still, it’s not all good news with the report finding that half of the United States population—154.5 million people—live in counties that have unhealthful levels of either ozone or particle pollution at times throughout the year. To ensure air pollution continues its decline year after year, the American Lung Association and other watchdogs say Congress needs to cease efforts to weaken the Clean Air Act and strip funding from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Here are some other striking facts from the report:

Coal-Fired Power Plants Aren't Healthy

According to the American Lung Association, one huge problem that needs correcting are the over 440 coal-fired plants in 46 states that are the largest contributors to air pollution: soot that causes lung diseases; sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that cause smog and acid rain; and mercury that contaminates fish (not to mention carbon dioxide that fuels climate change).

Southern California Suffers Most

Whether you're considering smog or soot, the one glaring constant on all the lists is this: cities in Southern California have the worst air. In fact, just last year, the the California Air Resources Board released a report stating that soot is responsible for the premature deaths of 9,000 Californians per year!

Soot is More than Meets the Eye

Commonly called soot, particle pollution refers to a mix of tiny solid and liquid particles that are in the air we breathe. The particles are microscopic and can penetrate our lungs or bloodstream. The damage done by particle pollution is very similar to that done by cigarette smoking, and exposure to either increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke, in addition to lung diseases like cancer and asthma.

"Particle pollution kills," said Dr. Norman H. Edelman, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association, in a prepared statement. "When you breathe these microscopic particles, you are inhaling a noxious mix of chemicals, metals, acid aerosols, ash and soot that is emitted from smokestacks, tailpipes, and other sources."

Smog Kills

The other pollutant spotlighted by the American Lung Association is even more dangerous than particle pollution: ozone. Ozone pollution is a component of smog, and it's the the most widespread pollutant. It's also invisible, and attacks lung tissue by reacting chemically with it. Children, teens, anyone 65 or older, and those who work or exercise outside are said to be at the highest risk for health issues from exposure to ozone—particularly during the summer months, when heat and sunlight react with pollutants to produce ozone. In 2004, a study showed that increased levels of ozone were responsible for over 3,700 deaths annually in the U.S. by decreasing lung function and increasing risk of lung infections, asthma attacks and pulmonary inflammation.

You Can Protect Yourself from Air Pollution—to a Point

Ultimately, reducing the causes of air pollution – primarily smokestack and tailpipe pollution, but also wood-burning fireplaces and boilers – is the only effective way to reduce illness from exposure. But until the air is cleaner, experts recommend these steps for reducing your exposure and risk:

• Pay attention to air pollution forecasts available from state health and environmental agencies or nationally at airnow.gov.
• Avoid exercising near high-traffic areas.
• Avoid exercising outdoors when pollution levels are high—particularly on and after hot, sunny summer days, when pollution levels can remain high even far into the evening hours.
• Avoid inhaling cigarette smoke and don't let people smoke indoors.
• Reduce the use of fireplaces and wood-burning stoves.

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