More than half of Americans live with unhealthy levels of air pollution, study finds

About 166 million Americans are at risk for serious health problems caused by air pollution, according to a new report from the American Lung Association (Source: “Report: More than half of Americans living with unhealthy levels of air pollution,” UPI, April 20, 2016).

The Lung Association report found that, despite steady improvements in air quality across the county, about 52.1 percent of people in the United States will have shorter lives and suffer serious health effects such as lung cancer, asthma, cardiovascular damage, and developmental and reproductive damage due to air pollution.

The annual report noted short-term spikes in particle pollution worsened last year. The spikes have been linked directly to drought and wildfires. However, year-round particle pollution fell in many cities.