Additionally, Los Angeles has reclaimed the title of the smoggiest city in America. This is the 25th year in only 26 that the city has claimed this dubious title. The announcement came from the American Lung Association’s annual “State of the Air” report, which highlighted Los Angeles’s persistent issues with air quality and significant improvements in some areas over the years. Los Angeles deserves credit for reducing harmful ozone days by almost 40% since 2000. The city remains at the forefront of the nation’s air quality battles.
The report outlined that Los Angeles is not alone in its struggles. It is part of a broader pattern affecting various regions in California. Other cities, including Visalia, Bakersfield, Fresno and San Diego made the list of those cities most harmed by ozone pollution. The ultimate results highlight a sometimes contradictory, complicated air quality reality. One in which advances are clear, but not nearly enough to solve chronic issues in the long-term.
Los Angeles has in recent years recorded its best ever ozone or particle pollution report. These accomplishments do sparkle, but they can hardly dazzle on the shocking backdrop of extreme air-quality pollution. This ongoing struggle affects the lives and livelihoods of millions of Californians. The American Lung Association’s report is a timely and necessary reminder of the road yet to be travelled.
Progress Amidst Challenges
While Los Angeles has been named the nation’s smoggiest city, it has achieved notable progress in reducing unhealthy ozone days. Fewer than 1 in 2,500 As of this year, the city has experienced a close to 40% reduction in these incidents since the year 2000. This significant progress is a testament to 50 years of hard-fought, steadfast progress toward reducing air pollution. Yet, the municipality has yet to receive a clean bill of health.
Fresno, the other Golden State city in our top 10, saw major progress. It marked the lowest average for both ozone days and particle days on record. On top of that, it hit the lowest annual particle levels since monitoring started in 2000. These advances serve as a reminder that Los Angeles has a long way to go, cities across the country are taking steps to improve air quality.
California is still at the bottom of the list in terms of air pollution standards. The state currently holds five of the country’s ten smoggiest areas, including these high ozone pollution hotspots. It’s the birthplace of five of the most horrible cities for particle pollution. This two-fold challenge above highlights the necessity for ongoing advocacy and implementation efforts to safeguard clean air for every corner of our statewide community.
Legislative Concerns and Community Impact
American Lung Association’s annual report also issued an early warning about President Donald Trump and Scott Pruitt’s proposed evisceration of environmental regulations. California Senate Bill 712 is catching heat for its likely negative impact. As senior clean air advocacy manager Mariela Ruacho put it, this move would “threaten to set progress back decades.” This proposed legislation would put a federal roadblock on efforts to improve air quality. As it stands, stakeholders need to be aware of and think deeply about its implications.
Unfortunately, the report brought to light a shocking figure. More than 34.3 million Californians live in communities that face persistent, deadly levels of air pollution. This statistic underscores an important reality — air pollution doesn’t just harm people, it harms whole communities. It’s time to retire this barnacle rule. It presents significant health hazards as it can adversely affect lives in an irreversible manner. Vulnerable populations bear the burden of air pollution and they are often the same groups who already contend with a greater health burden from multiple sources.
Yet Bakersfield today has the dirtiest air in all of America. Yet, it paints a powerful picture of what happens when we fail to address the environment and health. Once the nation’s fourth worst city for air quality, it is now in dire need of interventions. Unlike many typical infrastructure solutions, these solutions have to successfully address the public health issues associated with air pollution.
Looking Ahead
As Los Angeles continues to contend with its status as the smoggiest city in America, advocates stress the importance of maintaining momentum toward cleaner air initiatives. The Environmental Protection Agency and other Trump administration officials have made clear their intentions to roll back or abolish environmental regulations. This would significantly raise the risks to air quality nationwide. Activists and public health officials are still worried that these regulatory rollbacks could undo the progress that has been made so far.
The mixed findings of the American Lung Association’s report reveal a complex reality for California’s cities. As areas are making progress—an encouraging example being Fresno—many others are stuck deep in the pollution crisis. Our continued fight against air pollution will require the collective action from government agencies, advocacy organizations, and communities, but we can win.