The air quality in Atlanta has taken a downturn, according to the recent "State of the Air" report by the American Lung Association. The city's rating for ozone pollution has notably dropped, earning an "F" this year, pointing toward an increased exposure to smog for its residents. Data from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution highlighted that unhealthy ozone days have increased from 1.8 to 5.5 days annually.
The report, which captures data ranging from 2021 to 2023, places metro Atlanta as the third-worst for ozone pollution in the Southeast. The only cities to fare worse are Memphis, and Baton Rouge, as per the same report. Short-term particle pollution, also a concern, saw Atlanta's grade slip from a "B" to a "C". Officials from Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division, nevertheless claimed that the metro area is compliant with all federal air quality standards, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Danna Thompson, the advocacy director for the Lung Association in Georgia, underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, "Unfortunately, too many people in the Atlanta metro area are living with unhealthy levels of ozone and particle pollution. This air pollution is a threat to human health at every stage of life—increasing the risk of premature birth and low birth weight in babies to causing or worsening lung and heart disease to shortening lives," she told FOX 5 Atlanta.
Yet, some regions like Augusta were ranked among the cleanest for smog. However, the overall picture remains worrying, with a general failing grade for year-round particle pollution. The American Lung Association report estimates that around 156 million Americans live in areas with at least one failing grade in air quality measures, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution elucidates.
For those looking to delve deeper into the findings, the full "State of the Air" report is available on the American Lung Association's website. It provides a comprehensive look at the U.S. cities grappling with air pollution issues and offers insights into the health impacts of such environmental concerns. While Atlanta stares down these less-than-stellar gradings, residents are invited to review the data and stay informed on the quality of the air they breathe daily.
