How Healthy is Your Air?

Did you know more than 40 percent of people throughout the country live where pollution often makes the air too dangerous to breathe? Or that more than 44 million Americans live in an area burdened year-round by unhealthy levels of particle pollution?

Because of the clear relationship between elevated air pollution and a slew of health problems (including decreased lung function, chronic bronchitis, and asthma), the County Health Rankings reports on levels of particulate matter. These particles can be directly emitted from sources such as forest fires, or they can form when gases emitted from power plants, industries, and automobiles react in the air.

We’ve found that certain counties across the nation–from urban to rural–display excessively high levels of particulate matter, making it harder for people to live active, healthy lives.

What can we do to reduce air pollution in our communities? A few evidence-informed policies include retrofitting buses to reduce emissions, offering free or discounted mass transit programs, and carpooling and rideshare initiatives.

This week we’re observing Air Quality Awareness Week. To celebrate with us, check out the links below to see how you can improve air quality in your community.

• How healthy is your air?
• Policies and programs that can improve air quality.