American Lung Association Report Finds Air Quality Improves in Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon

DETROIT MI (04/24/2013)(readMedia)-- Embargoed Until: 12 a.m. EDT, April 24, 2013 -

The American Lung Association's "State of the Air 2013" report released today finds that the Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Holland area has decreased year-round particle pollution (soot) levels since the 2012 report, which is the trend seen across the nation and in Michigan.

Most of Michigan has experienced more unhealthy days of high ozone (smog) and a reduction in particle pollution. The Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon area ranked as the 56th-most polluted city in the nation for ozone, a worse ranking than last year.

Overall, however, "State of the Air 2013" shows that the air quality in the area, and nationwide, continues the long-term trend to much healthier air.

Looking at air quality in 2009, 2010, and 2011, the Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon area air pollution worsened its short-round particle pollution grade from a B to a C. The region received C for short-term particle pollution, because of too many days of unhealthy particle levels. Particle pollution levels can spike dangerously for hours to weeks on end (short-term) or remain at unhealthy levels on average every day (year-round). The worsening of short-term particle pollution bucked the trend of improvement in Michigan and in the US.

"State of the Air 2013" also finds that ozone levels in the Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon area worsened, resulting in going from a C grade to a D grade. Ozone (smog) is the most widespread air pollutant, created by the reaction of sunlight on emissions from vehicles and other sources. When ozone is inhaled, it irritates the lungs, like a bad sunburn. It can cause immediate health problems that continue days later. Ozone can cause wheezing, coughing, asthma attacks and premature death.

"The air in the Grand Rapids, Holland, and Muskegon area is certainly cleaner than when we started the 'State of the Air' report 14 years ago," said Jim Harrington, Field Organizer for the American Lung Association in Michigan. "Even though Grand Rapids, Holland and Muskegon are experiencing increases in unhealthy days of ozone, the air quality is still better compared to a decade ago. But the work is not done, and we must set stronger health standards for pollutants and cleanup sources of pollution in the region to protect the health of our citizens."

Despite improvements, the "State of the Air 2013" report found that more than 131.8 million people in the U.S. still live in counties that have unhealthy levels of either ozone or particle pollution, which equates to more than 4 in 10 people (42 percent).

The family of Mistie Bowers, a resident of Rockford has been seriously impacted by lung health issues. Mistie's husband Brett recently passed away at a young age from lung cancer. As a non-smoker, he was at low risk for developing the disease.

Unfortunately, research has linked polluted air as a possible cause and Mistie has joined the fight for clean air. "We need to continue to improve air quality in Michigan because no one should lose a husband, son or daughter from something we now know how to change for the better. It's important that the Environmental Protection Agency, Congress and the state set stronger standards based on science and protect public health."

The American Lung Association report reveals that from 2009-2011, many places including the Grand Rapids, Holland and Muskegon area made strong progress compared to 2008-2010, particularly in lower year-round levels of particle pollution. As a result of emissions reductions from coal-fired power plants and the transition to cleaner diesel fuels and engines, air quality is improving, especially in the eastern United States.

The Lung Association led the fight for a new, national air quality standard that strengthened outdated limits on annual levels of particle pollution, announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last December. Thanks to air pollution health standards like this, set under the Clean Air Act and the EPA enforcement of these standards, the U.S. has seen continued reductions in air pollution.

Cleaning up major air pollution sources through steps like the cleaner gasoline and cleaner vehicle standards will drastically cut both ozone and particle pollution. That means more health protections for the nearly 132 million people living in counties with dangerous levels of either ozone or particle pollution. Those at greatest risk from air pollution include infants, children, older adults, anyone with lung diseases like asthma, people with heart disease or diabetes, people with low incomes and anyone who works or exercises outdoors.

"The evidence is clear that the Clean Air Act delivers significant health benefits," said Jim Harrington. "Congress needs to continue to ensure that the provisions under the Clean Air Act are protected and are enforced. EPA and every state must have adequate funding to monitor and protect our citizens from air pollution.'

The American Lung Association's "State of the Air 2013" report is an annual, national air quality "report card.

The 2013 report-the 14th annual release-uses the most recent quality assured air pollution data, compiled by the EPA, in 2009, 2010, and 2011. These data come from the official monitors for the two most widespread types of pollution, ozone (smog) and particle pollution (PM 2.5, also known as soot). The report grades counties and ranks cities and counties based on their scores for ozone, year-round particle pollution and short-term particle pollution levels.

The American Lung Association in Michigan urges the public to join the fight for clean air and to learn how to protect themselves and their families from air pollution by visiting www.stateoftheair.org

Editors' Note: Trend charts and rankings for metropolitan areas and county grades are available at www.stateoftheair.org.