WASHINGTON — The D.C. area ranks 22nd for ozone pollution聽out of聽220 metropolitan areas聽nationwide, according to a new .
But of the areas with the worst air in the nation,聽this region is among the top five in improvement,聽experiencing聽the fewest number of unhealthy air days since the Association聽review began聽16 years ago.
Other area highlights from the report:
- Ranks 22nd for high ozone days out of 220 metro areas
- Ranks 45th for 24-hour particle pollution out of 220 metro areas
- Ranks 46th for annual particle pollution out of 220 metro areas
You can use the report to or by ZIP code. It reveals, for example, that聽you’re better off breathing in Montgomery County聽versus Fairfax County.
- : Ozone pollution D; Particle pollution A
- :聽 Ozone聽pollution F; Particle pollution B
Looking nationwide, the report聽declares that climate change endangers air quality in聽western states,聽because聽drought and heat may have increased particles from dust and wildfires, while聽in the eastern portion of the U.S.,聽air quality is improving聽because of cleaner power plants and diesel fleets.
The quality of the air you breathe can influence everything from coughing fits to heart attacks and can lead to premature聽death. Recommendations聽in the report include calls for new聽federal ozone limits using the latest health science,聽tougher rules for power plants to further reduce carbon pollution and prohibiting states from “opting out” of Clean Air Act protections.
The American Lung Association鈥檚 State of the Air 2015 report uses the most recent data from federal, state and local governments in 2011, 2012, and 2013.
