According to the American Lung Association’s 2025 annual report, approximately 156 million people across the United States are exposed to air pollution levels that are harmful to human health. This number marks a 16% increase from the previous year and is the worst figure in the past decade.
The report focuses particularly on fine particulate matter (PM2.5, commonly known as "soot") and ground-level ozone ("smog"), analyzing in detail how severely these pollutants are affecting public health.
The Invisible Threat from the Air: Serious Health Impacts
PM2.5 is emitted from sources deeply intertwined with our everyday lives and industrial activities—diesel exhaust, coal-fired power plants, wildfires, and even wood-burning stoves. These microscopic particles penetrate deep into the lungs, increasing the risk of asthma, heart attacks, strokes, premature births, cognitive decline, and even lung cancer.
Ground-level ozone (smog), on the other hand, forms when sunlight and heat trigger chemical reactions in vehicle and industrial emissions. This highly irritating substance is sometimes described as causing “sunburn of the lungs,” leading to respiratory issues and reduced lung function.
Disparities by Race: Latino Communities Hit the Hardest
The report reveals that people of color are more than twice as likely as white individuals to live in areas with the highest levels of air pollution. Latino Americans, in particular, face the greatest combined risk from both soot and smog, at rates nearly three times higher than white populations.
This is not a coincidence, but a reflection of “environmental racism”—a historical trend of deliberately placing industrial zones, highways, and waste facilities in or near communities of color.
Climate Change Makes It Worse: More Heatwaves and Wildfires
In recent years, climate change has exacerbated air pollution. High temperatures boost ozone levels, while increasingly frequent wildfires cause PM2.5 levels to spike—creating a vicious cycle of worsening air quality.
For example, during the summer of 2023, smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed much of the U.S. Midwest and East Coast, forcing millions to live under gray skies. It was one of the most severe smoke events on record.
Regional Assessments: Many Cities Scored an F
The report assigns air quality grades (from A to F) to counties and cities across the nation, based on annual average PM2.5 levels, short-term PM2.5 spikes, and ground-level ozone concentrations.
About 43 million people live in areas that received an F grade in all three categories. Meanwhile, only two cities—Bangor, Maine, and San Juan, Puerto Rico—earned passing grades across the board, highlighting the overall severity of the air quality crisis.
Unmonitored Zones: America’s Data Black Holes
An even more serious issue is that over 73 million Americans live in areas where neither PM2.5 nor ozone is officially monitored. These “data black holes” leave entire communities in the dark, unable to assess or address the health impacts they may be facing.
Such “invisible risks” represent a profound challenge for the future of environmental policymaking.
A Weakened EPA Makes Matters Worse
The report strongly criticizes the federal government’s retreat from environmental protection. Under the Trump administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) faced significant budget cuts and staff reductions, leading to the suspension or downsizing of numerous programs.
Originally established in 1970 under President Nixon, the EPA once played a key role in tackling environmental issues. But since the 2020s, policies based on “environmental justice” and “racial equity” have often been mischaracterized as “diversity policies” and met with political backlash.
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