CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The American Lung Association has released its 2023 report on the nations air quality.
The “State of the Air” report is an annual air quality “report card” which tracks exposure to unhealthy ozone levels and particle pollution. The new report reveals how many people are living in polluted air and what cities are the most and least polluted. The results are from 2019 to 2021.
The American Lung Association in West Virginia has released the 24th annual “State of the Air” report. The reports reveals changes in counties air quality and metro areas compared to last year’s report. The embargo on the 2023 “State of the Air” report was lifted Wednesday.
Aimee Van Cleave is the Advocacy Director for the American Lung Association in West Virginia. She said there are several counties in the state that rank among the best in the nation in air quality.
“Here in West Virginia and across the nation, we’re seeing ozone pollution improving, thanks in big part to the Clean Air Act,” Van Cleave said.
The American Lung Association doesn’t have data from every single county in the state, but some states are continuing a good trend.
Wood County has seen an A rating for the third year in a row and Morgantown has seen an A for four years in a row, according to Van Cleave. Morgantown was ranked as one of the cleanest cities in the U.S. for short-term particle pollution and ozone air pollution.
West Virginia had multiple counties listed on those lists too, including Kanawha, Marion, and Monongalia.
Van Cleave also said states and cities east of the Mississippi river typically get better grades and see better air quality than states west of the river.
“You’re more likely to live in a state that has higher air quality.” said Van Cleave.
The advocacy director said there’s still work left to be done and that governments and individuals can enact new strategies to bring down and limit air pollution levels.
“Local governments can adopt a climate action plan and also start switching city or county vehicles to zero emission vehicles,” said Van Cleave.
Of the top 25 most polluted cities in the country, 19 of them are in California.
The embargo report can be found here: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/6LO2YokKN6