HOUSTON – The Houston-Pasadena metropolitan area ranks seventh worst in the nation for ozone pollution and eighth worst for particle pollution, according to the American Lung Association’s annual air quality assessment released Tuesday.
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The organization’s 26th annual “State of the Air” report reveals Harris County experienced nearly 35 unhealthy air days annually during the study period of 2021-2023, earning the region a failing grade for air quality.
The organization compares breathing in these pollutants to getting a sunburn inside your lungs.
“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,” said Charlie Gagen, Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association.
Health Impacts Hit Communities Unevenly
The report highlights significant disparities in air pollution exposure. People of color are more than twice as likely as white individuals to live in communities with failing grades.
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Hispanic residents face even greater risks, being nearly three times more likely to live in areas with three failing grades.
Worsening Air Quality Trends
Harris County’s air quality shows concerning trends. The metro area’s ozone pollution ranking dropped from 10th worst last year to 7th worst this year.
For year-round particle pollution, Houston ranks 8th worst nationally, declining from 16th worst in the previous report.
Regional Air Quality Challenges
The air quality concerns extend beyond Houston. The Dallas-Fort Worth metro area ranks 10th worst nationally for ozone pollution, while the San Antonio-New Braunfels-Kerrville region ranks 20th worst.
Nationwide Impact
The report found that 156 million Americans – 46% of the population – live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution.
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Of those, 42.5 million people reside in communities that received failing grades for all three pollution measures tracked in the study.
Taking Action
The American Lung Association urges support for Environmental Protection Agency efforts to improve air quality. The organization emphasizes that without EPA programs, communities would lack crucial data about their air quality and pollution reduction initiatives could be compromised.
Local residents can participate in upcoming clean air initiatives through the Texas Two Step event on May 17, which combines the Fight for Air Climb and Lung Force Walk.
For detailed information about local air quality and ways to get involved, visit Lung.org.
