Unfortunately, pollution in the USA is terribly high. The United States has become the second most polluting country in the world. It’s far away from the goals embodied in the Paris agreement.
With policies that have strengthened the coal industry in the United States in 2018, air pollution has increased significantly.
According to experts, the repeal of environmental restrictions has been the basis for the expansion of pollution in different U.S. states, affecting the environment and the health of the inhabitants. Want to know about pollution in the USA? Read on, and don’t miss a thing!
Air quality in the USA
The arrival of the pandemic and its restrictions brought with it an environmental improvement. However, the truth is that when the pandemic ended and industrial activities began again, the level of contamination increased rapidly.
A report released by the State of the Air this year has confirmed that air pollution in the United States has increased, making it one of the worst seasons in recent times.
But it’s not only due to industry but also to other phenomena related to climate change, forest fires, gas emissions, and especially the few measures to control pollution.
Currently, pollution in the United States is alarming; it’s estimated that 40% of citizens live in a highly polluted environment. It has a direct impact on health and quality of life.
It should be noted that this problem affects low-income communities to a greater extent, even more so in localities close to ports, train, and bus stations.
States with the highest air pollution in the USA
The famous PM2.5 pollutants have alarmed millions of people, as it’s one of the most severe pollution agents in the United States. It’s estimated that about 4 out of 10 people are affected by poor air quality.
Of course, these figures vary from city to city. To give you an idea of the most polluted cities in the United States, we’ve decided to be guided by the ranking of cities with the highest air pollution. Among the most affected, we find:
- Bakersfield – California
- Yakima – Washington
- Missoula – Montana
- Fresno, Madera, Hanford – California
- Los Angeles, Long Beach – California
- Fairbanks – Alaska
- Phoenix – Arizona
- New York, Newark, New Jersey, Connecticut – Pennsylvania
Consequences of pollution in the USA
Pollution in the United States affects mainly its citizens. Reports have revealed that about 137 million people are exposed to suffer from asthma, breathing difficulties, and constant coughing. It’s due to a large amount of ozone and smog in the air.
The pollutant particles are so small that the human eye can’t see them, so many people may be affected and not realize it. These particles are known to be about 30 times smaller than human hair.
Therefore, they directly affect the respiratory tract, penetrating deeply into the body and causing severe lung problems, as in other areas of the body.
Undoubtedly, we’re facing a serious polluting phenomenon. Today, many organizations have turned their attention to public awareness. They’ve launched programs to deal with it, but the reality is that we’re a long way from solving this problem.
