April 24, 2019 - PHOENIX
The American Lung Association’s 2019 “State of the Air” report found Phoenix has earned poorer rankings over 2018 for the nation’s most widespread air pollutants.
Each year the “State of the Air” provides a report card on the two most widespread outdoor air pollutants, ozone pollution, also known as smog, and particle pollution, also called soot.
Ozone Pollution in Phoenix
Compared to the 2018 report, Phoenix experienced more unhealthy days of high ozone in this year’s report. Here's how US cities ranked nationwide for the highest ozone/smog pollution:
This report documents how warmer temperatures brought by climate change make ozone more likely to form and harder to clean up. This year’s report showed that ozone levels increased in most cities nationwide, in large part due to the record-breaking global heat experienced in the three years tracked in the report.
Our observation:
Because the Phoenix area is in a valley, and from our observation does not have a lot of wind, it seems that smog probably gets trapped for long periods exacerbating poor air quality?
Ozone Pollution in Phoenix
Compared to the 2018 report, Phoenix experienced more unhealthy days of high ozone in this year’s report. Here's how US cities ranked nationwide for the highest ozone/smog pollution:
#2: Visalia, CA
#3: Bakersfield, CA
This report documents how warmer temperatures brought by climate change make ozone more likely to form and harder to clean up. This year’s report showed that ozone levels increased in most cities nationwide, in large part due to the record-breaking global heat experienced in the three years tracked in the report.
Our observation:
Because the Phoenix area is in a valley, and from our observation does not have a lot of wind, it seems that smog probably gets trapped for long periods exacerbating poor air quality?
Particle Pollution in Phoenix
The 2019 report found year-round particle pollution levels slightly higher than the 2018 report. The Lung Association does not rank Phoenix area in the top ten for particle pollution
“Particle pollution is made of soot or tiny particles that come from coal-fired power plants, diesel emissions, wildfires and wood-burning devices. These particles are so small that they can lodge deep in the lungs and trigger asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes, and can even be lethal,”
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