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April 24, 2019

Chairwoman Johnson's Statement on 20th ALA “State of the Air” Report

(Washington, DC) – Today, the American Lung Association (ALA) released their annual “State of the Air” report. For the past 20 years, the ALA has analyzed data from official air quality monitors to compile this report.

Top-line findings:

  • More than 4 in 10 people in the United States - more than 141.1 million people - lived in counties with unhealthful levels of either ozone or particle pollution, an increase since last year's report.
  • Unhealthy spikes in particle pollution are becoming more frequent and more severe. Eight cities recorded their highest number of days with spikes in particle pollution ever recorded, some even reaching the worst level on the air quality index - maroon, or "hazardous."
  • The Clean Air Act must be fully implemented and enforced, and Congress and the Administration must take urgent action to reduce emissions from polluting sources - power plants, oil and gas operations, vehicles and other sources - to address climate change and clean up other dangerous air pollution at the same time.

Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement.

“I would like to thank the American Lung Association for being a champion of raising awareness of air quality levels and protecting the health of Americans and our environment for the past 20 years. This year’s ‘State of the Air’ report makes clear that we have not succeeded in protecting our citizens from unhealthy ozone or other air pollutants. Extreme weather and climate change are exacerbating already poor air quality. Now more than ever, we must seek to swiftly implement measures that will reduce hazardous particulate matter in our environment for the health of our communities, neighbors, and children.”