April 24, 2013 — The American Lung Association’s “State of the Air 2013” report released today finds that Jackson County has cut year-round particle pollution (soot) levels significantly since the 2012 report, in keeping with a trend seen across the nation. In addition to improvements in annual particle pollution, Jackson County has also experienced less unhealthy days of high ozone (smog). Eugene-Springfield ranked as the 14th-most polluted city in the nation for short-term particle pollution, a slightly improved ranking than last year’s report. Overall, “State of the Air 2013” shows that the air quality in Jackson and Marion Counties, and nationwide, continues the long-term trend to healthier air.
Looking at air quality in 2009, 2010, and 2011, Jackson County reduced its year-round particle pollution, earning a passing grade. Jackson County also improved its grade for short-term particle pollution, moving from an F grade in last year’s report to a C grade. Multnomah County’s grade for short-term particle pollution dropped from an A grade in the 2012 report to a C grade in this year’s report, 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).
“State of the Air 2013” also finds that ozone levels in Jackson County improved, resulting in an A grade. Ozone (smog) is the most widespread air pollutant, created by the reaction of sunlight on emissions from vehicles and other sources. When ozone is inhaled, it irritates the lungs, like a bad sunburn. It can cause immediate health problems that continue days later. Ozone can cause wheezing, coughing, asthma attacks and premature death.
“The air in areas such as Eugene-Springfield is certainly cleaner than when we started the ‘State of the Air’ report 14 years ago,” said Renée Klein, President and CEO of the Mountain Pacific region. “Even though the Eugene-Springfield area experienced unhealthy days of short-term particle pollution, the air quality is still better compared to a decade ago and has made the list of cleanest cities for ozone pollution. But the work is not done, and we must set stronger health standards for pollutants and cleanup sources of pollution in Eugene-Springfield to protect the health of our citizens.” According to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, part of the reason for Eugene-Springfield’s poor grades for short-term particle pollution is because the local air protection agency monitors the air more frequently (daily) than other air protection agencies.
Despite improvements, the “State of the Air 2013” report found that more than 131.8 million people in the U.S. still live in counties that have unhealthy levels of either ozone or particle pollution, which equates to more than 4 in 10 people (42 percent).
The Lung Association led the fight for a new, national air quality standard that strengthened outdated limits on annual levels of particle pollution, announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last December. Thanks to air pollution health standards like this, set under the Clean Air Act and the EPA enforcement of these standards, the U.S. has seen continued reductions in air pollution.
“The evidence is clear that the Clean Air Act delivers significant health benefits,” said Klein. “Congress needs to continue to ensure that the provisions under the Clean Air Act are protected and are enforced. EPA and every state must have adequate funding to monitor and protect our citizens from air pollution.”
Cleaning up major air pollution sources through steps like the cleaner gasoline and cleaner vehicle standards will drastically cut both ozone and particle pollution. That means more health protections for the nearly 132 million people living in counties with dangerous levels of either ozone or particle pollution. Those at greatest risk from air pollution include infants, children, older adults, anyone with lung diseases like asthma, people with heart disease or diabetes, people with low incomes and anyone who works or exercises outdoors. Oregon legislators are currently deciding the fate of the Clean Fuels program, which lowers the carbon content of transportation fuels that account for roughly a third of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. “Programs like the Clean Fuels program will make a difference in improving Oregon’s air quality,” said Klein.
The American Lung Association’s “State of the Air 2013” report is an annual, national air quality “report card.” The 2013 report—the 14th annual release—uses the most recent quality assured air pollution data, compiled by the EPA, in 2009, 2010, and 2011. These data come from the official monitors for the two most widespread types of pollution, ozone (smog) and particle pollution (PM 2.5, also known as soot). The report grades counties and ranks cities and counties based on their scores for ozone, year-round particle pollution and short-term particle pollution levels.
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 from air pollution by visiting www.stateoftheair.org.
