Earth Day report: Almost half of US population breathes unhealthy air

Nearly half of Americans breathe in unhealthy air, according to a new report from the American Lung Association (ALA).

The ALA released their annual “State of the Air” report on Wednesday, which also marks Earth Day. The report found that 44 percent of Americans — over 152 million people — live in areas with unhealthy ozone levels and particle pollution. 

The release includes lists of the “cleanest” and “most polluted” cities in the U.S., which are determined by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data on ozone exposure and particle pollution in those areas. 

The small city of Bangor, Maine, is the only place this year to hit all three top markers for ozone, short-term and year-round particle pollution. The ALA called this finding a “grim indication of the deterioration of air quality nationwide.”

The city reported zero total days of unhealthy ozone levels and short-term particle pollution. It ranked number 10 among all cities for its low year-round particle........

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