Ds, Fs for Counties' Air: New American Lung Association Report

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The American Lung Association's annual "State of the Air" report came out last week, and the lower Hudson Valley didn't fare well. The big problem for the region continues to be ozone, according to the report.

Inhaling ozone pollution is like getting a sunburn on the lung, researchers said. It can trigger coughing and asthma attacks and may even shorten life. Warmer temperatures make ozone more likely to form and harder to clean up.

Compared to the previous year, the 2018 report found that far more people suffered from unhealthy ozone pollution, with approximately 128.9 million people living in 185 counties that earned an F grade for ozone. Of the 10 most polluted cities, seven cities did worse, including the New York City metro area and Los Angeles.

In the lower Hudson Valley, Westchester was the only county to receive an "F" grade. But Dutchess, Rockland and Putnam counties didn't do well either: each received a "D." Orange County did squeak by with a "C."

The ALA's 19th annual national air quality "report card" found that 133.9 million Americans—more than four in 10 —lived in counties with unhealthful levels of either ozone or particle pollution in 2014-16, placing them at risk for premature death and other serious health effects such as lung cancer, asthma attacks, cardiovascular damage, and developmental and reproductive harm.

"Near record-setting heat from our changing climate has resulted in dangerous levels of ozone in many cities across the country, making ozone an urgent health threat for millions of Americans," said American Lung Association National President and CEO Harold P. Wimmer.

You can check out the report's methodology here.

"Far too many Americans are living with unhealthy air, placing their health and lives at risk," Wimmer said. "The 'State of the Air' report should serve as a wake-up call for residents and representatives alike. Everyone deserves to breathe healthy air, and we must do more to protect the air we breathe by upholding and enforcing the Clean Air Act."

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