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April 19, 2017

Ranking Member Johnson Statement on ALA’s “State of the Air” Report

(Washington, DC) –Today, the American Lung Association (ALA) released their annual “State of the Air” report. For the past 18 years, the ALA has analyzed data from official air quality monitors to compile this report.

Top-line findings:

  • 125 million Americans, or about 4 in 10, live in counties with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution
  • Many cities continued reducing harmful ozone pollution and year-round levels of particle pollution, showing the continued success of cleanup measures under the Clean Air Act
  • However, many cities saw more days with spikes in particle pollution. By making wildfires and droughts more likely, climate change is contributing to this unhealthy trend.

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

“I applaud the efforts of the American Lung Association to raise the levels of awareness as we strive to lower the levels of ozone and other air pollutants. Now more than ever, we must reject policies that seek to take us back to a time when environmental health, and therefore the health of our people, came second to the needs of special interests. Instead, we must continue to support policies that will empower future generations to build off a record of environmental successes.”