Wed, 05/09/2007 - 2:02pm

2007 Air Quality Report Ranks Washington Among Nation’s Most “Unhealthful” Cities

While the benefits of living and working in the nation’s capital sometimes seem too numerous to count, a recent study published by the American Lung Association (ALA) ensures that one benefit---clean air---definitely won’t show up on any “I Love D.C.!” lists this year.

According to the ALA’s 2007 “State of The Air” report (SOTA), the Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia region ranks eleventh among metropolitan areas plagued by “short term particle” and “ozone” pollution and twentieth among those affected by “year round particles.”

The short term particle pollution measure logs the amount of soot in the air for 24-hour periods. The year round particle pollution measure reports the average concentration of soot in the air for one year. The ozone pollution measure, as it is used in the ALA’s report, tracks smog.

Particle pollution, which has been linked to a host of serious health problems as well as premature death, is the most dangerous pollutant.

Go West Young Man: Breathing Is A Whole Lot Easier
Interestingly, America’s pollution problem seems to be divided along geographical lines. As SOTA explains, while a significant number of western states and locales are working hard to reduce harmful emissions---and have been for quite a few years---many eastern power plants are increasing their use of electricity and dirtying up America’s breathing space in the process. As a result, ALA’s chair, Dr. Terri E. Weaver, says that “the American Lung Association is fighting for tougher federal standards” to regulate air quality nationwide.

Big Strides By The Sunshine State
Among the western states, California has emerged as a leader. According to SOTA, “…soot levels [in the West] continue to drop even in areas that rank historically high in particle pollution. California showed the most improvement with 32 counties dropping their year-round particle pollution levels. [Also in] California, aggressive measures to reduce emissions from a wide range of air pollution sources (cars, trucks, and other mobile sources) contributed to fewer high ozone days.”

Even so, Los Angeles---long infamous for its lung-choking smog---still ranked as “America’s most polluted city,” topping the list in every SOTA category.

Turning The Tide of Air Pollution
Although the matter of cleaning up the capital’s air is definitely a long-term proposition, the ALA suggests a number of simple steps that all of us can begin taking right away to help improve the quality of our air---and our health.

According to the experts, all Americans should:

1. Eliminate unnecessary driving (and emissions) and walk, bike, or carpool instead.

2. Fuel up after sunset. Evaporating gas emissions contribute to the development of smog. By waiting until the evening to fill up your gas tank, you help prevent further air pollution.

3. Stop burning wood and trash---both contribute to increases of the most dangerous pollutant---particle pollution.

4. Replace your gasoline-burning lawn mower with hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment.

5. Exercise inside on “bad air days.” Monitor the region’s air quality by tuning in to local radio and TV weather reports or by logging on to www.epa.gov/airnow/.

The ALA also recommends that you “always avoid exercising near high traffic areas.”

For more specific strategies on protecting yourself and your loved ones---especially children and adults over the age of 65---from the harmful effects of air pollution, visit the SOTA homepage at http://lungaction.org/reports/stateoftheair2007.html.

About the author
by Andrea C.T. Smith

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