News Summary
The American Lung Association’s latest ‘State of the Air’ report reveals troubling air quality issues in Pittsburgh, ranking it as the 12th worst in the U.S. for year-round particle pollution. Other regions in Pennsylvania also face challenges, with Lancaster County at 22nd for daily particle pollution. Alarmingly, nearly 46% of Americans, or around 156.1 million people, are exposed to unhealthy air. Policy changes are needed to address these urgent air quality issues, especially as health risks from pollutants escalate.
Pittsburgh Faces Air Quality Struggles in Latest “State of the Air” Report
It’s not the best news coming out of Pittsburgh this year. The American Lung Association’s 2025 edition of the “State of the Air” report has just hit the streets, and Pennsylvania is getting a serious reality check when it comes to air quality. If you thought the air in the City of Bridges was crisp and clean, you might want to think again.
Pittsburgh’s Pollution Problems
The report shines a spotlight on our Pittsburgh-Weirton-Steubenville region, which has grabbed the unwanted title of being the 12th worst area in the U.S. for year-round particle pollution. And it’s not just the annual stats that are worrying—this region also ranks 16th for short-term air pollution. That’s like a double whammy for our lungs!
Other Troubling Areas in Pennsylvania
But wait, there’s more! Over in Lancaster County, folks are also having a tough time, landing at 22nd for daily particle pollution. It seems like the air isn’t treating us kindly anywhere you go in Pennsylvania. In fact, when you look at the broader picture, only two lonely counties—Somerset and Tioga—managed to snag an A grade for air quality, while the rest of us got stuck with C grades. Yikes!
And let’s not forget the counties getting F grades—Berks, Bucks, and the heart of Pennsylvania’s hustle and bustle, Philadelphia. These areas are grappling with some serious pollution issues.
National Context
The national stats are equally alarming, revealing that nearly 46% of Americans—that’s a whopping 156.1 million people—are breathing in unhealthy air. It’s upsetting to note that about 25 million more folks are inhaling this poor-quality air compared to just last year. Clearly, air quality isn’t improving; it’s getting worse!
Where Does Pennsylvania Stand?
Delving a bit deeper, the Allentown-Bethlehem-East Stroudsburg metro area didn’t fare much better, receiving an F for daily particle pollution and landing in the 50th spot nationwide. Meanwhile, the Harrisburg-York-Lebanon area ranked 79th for ozone pollution and 44th for short-term particle pollution. Not the shiny medals we would have hoped for, right?
Outside Influences on Air Quality
A few months back, the province also had to contend with wildfire smoke from Canada. This unfortunate incident played a role in dampening air quality across multiple areas in Pennsylvania this June. For instance, Northampton County, which has been struggling with smog, received a C grade for smog but was hit hard with an F for short-term particle pollution. On average, residents experienced 1.8 unhealthy days annually for ozone and 3.8 unhealthy days for particle pollution.
Health Risks and Future Prospects
The health dangers of air pollutants are serious business. They can lead to significant issues such as asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, and even complications like low birth weight in newborns. It’s a wake-up call for Pennsylvania’s policymakers, who are being encouraged to jump into action to tackle this pressing issue and work with the Environmental Protection Agency to improve air quality.
So, as we continue to navigate the daily hustle and bustle of life in Pennsylvania, let’s not forget to look up—at the air we breathe. Because if we don’t start making changes soon, we could be in for a rough ride.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- PennLive: PA Metro Areas and Air Pollution
- Lehigh Valley News: Failing Air Quality Grade
- Fox43: Declining Air Quality in Central PA
- ABC27: Air Quality Amid Wildfires
- Patch: Pittsburgh Air Quality Rankings
- Google Search: Air Quality Pennsylvania
