Chicago air quality ranked 15th worst in the U.S. in American Lung Association report on pollution
A new report has found Chicago's air quality is among the most polluted in the nation.
The American Lung Association's annual "State of the Air" report tracked the ozone and particle pollution levels in cities across the country over the three years from 2021 to 2023.
The Chicago area had the 15th highest level of ozone pollution and received an F grade.
"Unfortunately, too many people in the Chicagoland area continue to live with unhealthy levels of ozone and particle pollution. This air pollution is a threat to human health at every stage of life – from increasing the risk of premature birth and low birth weight babies to causing or worsening lung disease," said Kristina Hamilton, Advocacy Director for the American Lung Association.
Air quality in the Chicago metropolitan area also received a failing grade, and was ranked 13th worst metro area in the nation.
The rest of the state didn't fare much better.
Of 23 counties where data was available, a majority received an F rating, with only one county receiving a C rating.
The American Lung Association said they hope the report helps convince Illinois lawmakers to take action to improve air quality in Chicago and Illinois overall.
"We urge Illinois policymakers to take action to improve our air quality, including adopting clean vehicle standards and we are calling on everyone to support the incredibly important work of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)," Hamilton said.
The report notes manmade pollution has decreased in recent years, but overall air pollution is getting worse, due in part to wildfires sweeping smog across the country.
The American Lung Association found nearly half of the U.S. population, 156 million people, live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution.
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