The American Lung Association’s “State of the Air 2014” report released today shows that Eugene has cut year-round particle pollution (soot) levels, compared to the 2013 report. This is in keeping with a trend seen across the nation of lower particle pollution levels. Portland is recognized as one of the cleanest cities for year-round particles and recorded the best ever score for ozone pollution.
Overall, “State of the Air 2014” found that nearly half of all Americans – more than 147 million – live in counties in the U.S. where ozone or particle pollutions levels make the air unhealthy to breathe. While the nation continued to reduce particle pollution – which is linked to premature deaths, asthma attacks and heart attacks, as well as lung cancer – poor air quality remains a significant public health concern. Ozone levels (smog), a powerful respiratory irritant and the most widespread air pollutant, were much worse than in the previous year’s report in part due to heat waves during the time period analyzed. There is no doubt that climate change is making it harder to protect human health from the dangers of air pollution.
“The air in Oregon is certainly cleaner than when we started the ‘State of the Air’ report 15 years ago,” said Carrie Nyssen, Regional Director of Advocacy and Air Quality for the American Lung Association of the Mountain Pacific. “The continued reduction of year-round particle pollution is thanks to steps taken to reduce pollution from power plants, and also from cleaner diesel fleets. However, the increases in unhealthy days of high ozone and short-term particle pollution tell us we still have work to do. Reducing ozone pollution will be particularly challenging because warmer temperatures increase risk for ozone pollution, and climate change sets the stage for higher ozone levels in the future.”
Looking at air quality in 2010, 2011 and 2012, Lane County’s air pollution reduced its short-term particle pollution, (although still receiving a failing grade). Klamath and Lake counties received Ds for short-term particle pollution, because of too many days of unhealthy particle levels. Particle pollution levels can spike dangerously for hours to weeks on end (short-term) or remain at unhealthy levels on average every day (year-round). Particle pollution can penetrate deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream where it can lead to premature deaths, asthma attacks and heart attacks, as well as lung cancer.
“From our first “State of the Air” report to this most recent one, we have seen that the Clean Air Act delivers significant health benefits,” said Nyssen. “However, the past 15 years have also confirmed that air pollution is a more serious threat to our health than we’d previously known and is further complicated by climate change.”
The American Lung Association calls for additional steps to more fully protect public health from the dangers of air pollution: EPA must set and enforce strong standards to protect public health from the impacts of carbon pollution and adopt stronger, health-based standards for ozone pollution. Congress must ensure that the Clean Air Act remains intact and is enforced, not weakened. States must do their part in complying with the healthy air standards to protect our citizens from air pollution and new threats caused by rising temperatures.
The American Lung Association in Oregon urges the public to join the fight for clean air and to learn how to protect themselves and their families by visiting www.stateoftheair.org.
