Nearly Half of Americans Now Breathe Unhealthy Air, Report Finds

A new report from the American Lung Association has found that nearly half of the U.S. population is breathing unhealthy air, and things are getting worse. According to the 2025 “State of the Air” report, released on April 23, around 156 million Americans—46% of the population—live in counties that received an “F” grade for dangerous levels of ozone or particle Pollution. That’s 25 million more people than last year.

The data, covering air quality from 2021 to 2023, shows a sharp rise in unhealthy air days caused by extreme heat, wildfires, and climate-driven ozone increases. The western U.S. saw slight improvement, but the Midwest and Northeast got hit harder, especially during the smoky summer of 2023 when Canadian wildfires blanketed major cities in haze.

The report also reveals stark racial disparities. While people of color make up just over 40% of the U.S. population, they represent more than 51% of those living in counties with at least one failing air quality grade. Black communities are one and a half times more likely to live in places with failing grades across all Pollution categories. Hispanic individuals are nearly three times more likely. Health impacts are serious and widespread—from asthma attacks and heart disease to lung cancer and low birth weight.

American Lung Association President Harold Wimmer warns that federal efforts to clean the air are under threat. “Without strong EPA programs and funding, families are left vulnerable,” he said.

This report is a wake-up call. It’s clearer than ever that the climate crisis, animal agriculture, and fossil fuels are polluting our air and hurting our communities. Want to breathe easier? Support plant-based living, speak up for clean energy, and defend the EPA’s ability to protect public health. Our lungs—and the planet—depend on it.

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