Air quality in the US set to worsen, affecting millions by 2054

A new report predicts a 50% increase in Americans exposed to unhealthy air by 2054, intensifying public health concerns.

Ava Sasani reports for The Guardian.

In short:

The First Street Foundation report reveals that one in four Americans currently face unhealthy air quality, a figure expected to rise significantly.
Climate-induced wildfires and heatwaves are negating progress made by federal clean air regulations.
Exposure to PM2.5 particles, linked to serious health issues, is increasing with no safe level of exposure identified.

Key quote:

"If we’re going to start thinking about solutions, we have to start combating the origin of the air pollutants, which are wildfires and extreme heat."

— Jeremy Porter, head of climate implications research at First Street Foundation

Why this matters:

This escalating air pollution crisis directly impacts public health, particularly in vulnerable communities. Exposure to air pollution over long periods of time is linked to premature deaths via heart disease and COPD; while short term exposure is linked to reduced lung function, increased hospital visits due to breathing problems and restricted blood flow to the heart.

www.theguardian.com

Air quality in the US set to worsen, affecting millions by 2054

Disaster aid cuts raise fears of post-Katrina failures as hurricane risks grow

New Orleans children carry Hurricane Katrina’s trauma into adulthood

Local emergency alert systems often go unused, with deadly results

Democrats target Trump’s energy law as driver of rising electricity bills

Oil and gas firms press Carney to scale back climate rules as Canada weighs emissions plan update

U.S. tariffs hit Indian solar exports as domestic market faces pressure to absorb surplus

Koch-funded campaign ramps up fight against Vermont’s clean energy laws

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.