Cleveland's air among ‘most polluted' in America: Study
CLEVELAND (WJW) — The American Lung Association has released its annual 'State of the Air' report and found that Cleveland is among the worst in the nation for year-round particle pollution, also known as 'soot.'
Each year, for the past 26 years, the Lung Association has analyzed data from official air quality monitors to compile the report and track unhealthy levels of both ozone air pollution (smog) and particle pollution (soot.) The report then ranks the most polluted and cleanest U.S. cities based on an area's number of unhealthy air days.
This year's report looked at a three-year period (2021-2023) and found Cleveland to be the 9th worst in the nation for year-round particle pollution. According to the report, Cleveland posted the 'most dramatic' shift in the country, resulting in its rank dropping from 54th to 9th worst.
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'Unfortunately, too many people in Cleveland are living with unhealthy levels of ozone and particle pollution. This air pollution is causing kids to have asthma attacks, making people who work outdoors sick and unable to work, and leading to low birth weight in babies. We urge Ohio policymakers to take action to improve our air quality,' said Kezia Ofosu Atta, Advocacy Director for the Lung Association in Ohio in a press release.
According to the Lung Association, ozone and particle pollution are the most widespread pollutants and among the 'most dangerous.' The recent report found that nearly half of the U.S. population (46%) live in an area that received a failing grade for at least one measure of air pollution.
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'The air pollutants covered in this report are widespread and can impact anyone's health. Both ozone and particle pollution can cause premature death and other serious health effects such as asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes, preterm births and impaired cognitive functioning later in life. Particle pollution can also cause lung cancer,' said Atta,
To learn more about the 'State of the Air' report, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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