According to the American Lung Association’s latest State of the Air report, air pollution in the U.S. is getting worse. And Columbus isn’t escaping the trend.
The report, released Wednesday, shows that nearly half of Americans, 56 million to be exact, are breathing unhealthy air, including more than 42 million people living in areas that failed all three key air quality metrics: ozone pollution, short-term particle pollution, and year-round particle pollution.
Here in Central Ohio, our air quality received a failing grade, prompting the American Lung Association to call on state lawmakers to take action.
So, What’s in the Air?
The report tracks two major types of pollutants:
- Ozone pollution (a.k.a. smog): a lung irritant that forms in heat and sunlight, worsened by climate change and vehicle emissions.
- Particle pollution (also called PM2.5 or soot): made up of microscopic particles from sources like wildfires, power plants, and diesel engines. These particles are so small they can get deep into your lungs—and even your bloodstream.
Exposure to these pollutants is tied to serious health problems including asthma attacks, heart disease, strokes, low birth weight in infants, lung cancer, and even premature death.
The report uses a grading system based on the number of days air quality in each county reaches unhealthy levels, measured by the Air Quality Index (AQI). Columbus was among the areas flagged for dangerous levels of particle pollution, particularly during short-term spikes.
Wildfires and Heat Are Making It Worse
While Central Ohio isn’t typically top of mind for wildfires, last summer’s Canadian wildfires pushed plumes of smoke across the Midwest, leading to record-breaking days of poor air quality, even in places far from the flames. These pollution spikes contributed to the worst national numbers seen in the 26-year history of the State of the Air report.
Extreme heat is another culprit. As summers get hotter and longer, ozone levels are climbing, and cleanup becomes harder. The result: even cities that made progress in the past are backsliding.
Pollution Doesn’t Impact Everyone Equally
One of the more troubling findings is that people of color in the U.S. are more than twice as likely as white individuals to live in areas with failing grades across all three pollution measures. The report shows that Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous communities face disproportionate exposure to unhealthy air—adding environmental injustice to an already urgent public health issue.
What Happens Next?
The American Lung Association is urging both local and federal leaders to invest in policies that improve air quality, fund pollution cleanup programs, and protect the EPA from rollbacks or budget cuts that could weaken air regulations.
For now, Ohio residents can track their daily air quality and take precautions on days when pollution levels are high—especially kids, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions.
Because when it comes to clean air, we all deserve to breathe a little easier. To view the full study, head over to lung.org.
