A Troubling Report: Nearly Half of Americans Breathe Polluted Air**

The American Lung Association has disclosed that an estimated 156 million Americans are exposed to unhealthy air quality, exacerbated by potential rollbacks of environmental regulations.**

According to the latest findings from the American Lung Association, approximately 156 million Americans—nearly 46% of the population—are inhaling air contaminated with harmful levels of ozone and particulate matter. The data, presented in the annual State of the Air report, emphasizes the detrimental health implications this pollution can cause.

Worsening these conditions could be plans by the former Trump administration to relax existing environmental regulations, along with proposed funding cuts for vital air quality research. Experts emphasize that continued legislative support, such as the Clean Air Act, is crucial for safeguarding public health and ensuring better air quality standards.

The report highlights air quality trends from 2021 to 2023, coinciding with an exceptionally severe wildfire season in Canada. Ratings in the report categorize counties and cities on an A to F scale based on pollution levels. While historical data indicates a significant decline in key pollutants—by nearly 80% since the Clean Air Act was passed in 1970—many Americans still face daily health risks associated with polluted air.

Specifically, the report notes that 156.1 million individuals are in regions that received an F grade for one pollutant, with over 42 million residing in areas that didn't meet standards for all three pollutants assessed. Out of the 885 monitored counties, 480 reported failure in at least one measure, underscoring the urgent need for continued efforts to combat air pollution in America.