A number of measures have exacerbated air pollution in the United States, according to a new report. This is a trend due to more severe heat and wildfires.
Some countries that were previously not covered by smog have seen pollution worsen in recent years as heat and sunlight turn car exhaust into ozone pollution. “The warm temperatures driven by climate change create ozone and make cleaning even more difficult,” according to the new one. Reportfrom the American Lung Association. The group found that between 2021 and 2023, it was five times more than five times more counties than they saw ozone pollution worsen as ozone pollution improves.
Wildfires also contributed to ozone pollution, leading to a surge in partial pollution in some parts of the country. Last year, the county recorded “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” levels of fine particles reached its highest level in at least 20 years. The report found that more and more Americans are facing dangerous levels of particulate contamination. This is a trend that is “not only continues as a result of climate change, but is getting worse.”
Both ozone and particulate contamination can worsen asthma, increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke, leading to early death. People of color, especially Hispanic Americans, are also likely to be far higher than those facing higher levels of these contaminants than white people, according to the report. The findings come when the Trump administration wants Weak it Air pollution regulations.
“Even though more people are breathing unhealthy air, federal staff, programs and policies that are expected to clean up contaminants face challenges of rollback, restructuring and fundraising.” Harold Wimmer saidPresident of the American Lung Association. “Efforts to cut EPA staff, funds and programs make families even more vulnerable to harmful air pollution.”
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