The American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2018 report shows that once again California has some of the worst air quality in the nation. Los Angeles ranked 1st in the nation for ozone pollution and landed in the top ten for both short-term and year-round particle pollution. However, strong state and local clean air programs are driving significant long-term progress.
This year’s report reveals that ozone levels rose due to some of the warmest temperatures on record in 2016. Extreme heat and other climate-driven events have a direct impact on our air quality. Addressing climate change and the resulting air pollution is key in the fight for healthy air.
“Federal and state policies like the Clean Air Act and strong California clean car standards are working. We are improving air quality, but the impacts of climate change are interfering with progress,” said Bonnie Holmes-Gen, Senior Director, Air Quality and Climate Change, American Lung Association in California. “The reality is California still has unhealthy levels of air pollution in large areas of the state, which puts Californians at risk for premature death and other serious health effects such as asthma, COPD and lung cancer. We must continue the life-saving work of cutting air pollution and slowing climate change.”
Key Report Findings for the Los Angeles Region
Rising temperatures linked to climate change hinder fight against ozone (also known as smog).
o The Los Angeles Region has ranked first for smog pollution in all but one State of the Air report. The region suffered a setback in this year’s report after seeing improvements last year. Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties all received failing grades for number of unhealthy days of ozone pollution.
o San Bernardino County remains the most ozone-polluted county in the nation.
Los Angeles Region among worst for particle pollution (also known as soot).
o The Los Angeles Region was ranked as the 7th most polluted for short-term particle pollution and 4th for year-round particle pollution. However, it did improve its short-term particle pollution with fewer unhealthy days.
o Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties all received failing grades for number of unhealthy days for particle pollution. Ventura County received an A grade with no unhealthy days for particle pollution.
Long-term progress is being made. The Los Angeles Region has seen an 88 percent reduction in unhealthy particle days since the 2004 report and a 37 percent reduction in ozone days since 2000.
The State of the Air 2018 found that 90 percent of Californians live in areas with unhealthy air at some point during the year. California cities claim the first 7 of the ten worst cities for ozone pollution in the nation. The San Joaquin Valley dominated the list of most polluted for short-term and year-round particle pollution with Visalia, Bakersfield and Fresno all landing in the top five. (See lists below.)
The State of the Air 2018 report is based on air quality monitoring data collected in 2014 – 2016, the most recent years of quality assured data available. It is important to note that the historic wildfires of 2017 were not captured in this year’s report. The report focuses on ozone and particle pollution, as they are the most widespread forms of air pollution threatening public health.
“Ozone and particle pollution are especially harmful to children, seniors and those with asthma and other lung diseases. When they breathe polluted air, too often they end up in the doctor’s office, the hospital or the emergency room,” said Dr. Sonal Patel, an allergy and asthma specialist in Los Angeles and a volunteer physician with the American Lung Association in California.
“I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014 and it came as a complete shock to me. I now realize that living and working in Los Angeles meant I was exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution for decades,” said Victoria Dresbach, a lung cancer survivor. “I don’t want future generations to go through what I have had to experience. I hope that we can continue to reduce vehicle emissions in Los Angeles and all of California to further improve air quality and allow everyone to breathe easier.”
Climate change is worsening our air pollution problems, as this report shows. Warmer temperatures linked to climate change increase the frequency and severity of ozone days and make it harder to reach our clean air goals. Climate change is also linked to extreme weather patterns, drought and wildfires, which contribute to increased particle pollution.
“It is critical that California continues to lead the nation in the transition away from polluting fossil fuels, especially as the federal government takes steps to roll back lifesaving measures that reduce climate pollution like clean car standards,” Holmes-Gen said. “Moving to a zero-emission vehicle future will have huge positive impacts on public health and improve the lives of those living with lung disease.”