American Lung Association "State of the Air 2017" Report Finds Air Quality Improved in Michigan

DETROIT MI (04/19/2017) (readMedia)-- Editors' Note: Trend charts and rankings for metropolitan areas and county grades are available

at www.stateoftheair.org.

Embargoed Until: 12 a.m. (EDT), April 19, 2017

The American Lung Association's "State of the Air 2017" report released today shows mixed results for Michigan.

The Detroit Metropolitan Area reduced its ozone pollution (smog) in 2013-2015 and improved its ranking to 35th most polluted area in the nation. The metro area improved their short-term levels of particle pollution with its fewest days ever with unhealthy particle pollution

The Grand Rapids Metropolitan Area reduced its average number of days with unhealthy ozone levels The metro area had more unhealthy days for short-term particle pollution but slightly improved its year-round particle levels in 2013-2015.

Each year the "State of the Air" reports on the two most widespread outdoor air pollutants, ozone pollution and particle pollution.

The report analyzes particle pollution in two ways: through average annual particle pollution levels and short-term spikes in particle pollution. Both ozone and particle pollution are dangerous to public health and can be lethal.

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 and continue days later. Ozone can cause wheezing, coughing, asthma attacks and premature death.

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). Particle pollution can penetrate deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream, leading to premature deaths, asthma attacks and heart attacks, as well as lung cancer.

"The 2017 'State of the Air' report finds unhealthful levels of ozone decreased, thanks to the Clean Air Act's success at cleaning up major sources of the emissions that create ozone, especially coal-fired power plants and vehicles. However, research shows that climate change causes warmer temperatures, which makes ozone harder to clean up." said Ken Fletcher, Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association in Michigan

"Healthy air protections are under attack, and must be defended to save lives here and across the county. Air travels from one state to another, so only federal protections can help protect the air we all breathe," added Fletcher.

Below are the counties with grades and any changes in the grades.*

Ozone Grade & Change Particle Grade & Change***

Allegan ................... F ............ No Change ................................... A ................ No Change

Bay .......................... ** .......... ..................................................... A ................ No Change

Benzie ..................... C ............ Improved ..................................... **

Berrien.................... F ............ No Change ................................... A ................ No Change

Cass ........................ D ........... Improved ..................................... **

Chippewa ............... A............ Improved ..................................... A ................ No Change

Clinton .................... B ............ Improved ..................................... **

Genesee ................. C ............ Improved ..................................... B ................ No Change

Huron ..................... C ............ Improved ..................................... **

Ingham ................... B ............ Improved ..................................... A ................ No Change

Kalamazoo .............. C ............ Improved ..................................... B ................ No Change

Kent ........................ C ............ Improved ..................................... B ................ Worsened from A

Lenawee ................. C ............ Improved ..................................... A ................ No Change

Macomb ................. F ............ No Change ................................... B ................ Worsened from A

Manistee ................ C ............ Improved ..................................... B ................ No Change

Mason .................... C ............ Improved ..................................... **

Missaukee .............. B ............ Improved ..................................... A ................ No Change

Monroe .................. ** .......... ..................................................... B ................ Worsened from A

Muskegon .............. F ............ No Change ................................... INC

Oakland .................. D ........... Improved ..................................... B...................Worsened from A

Ottawa ................... D ........... Improved ..................................... INC

St. Clair ................... F ............ No Change ................................... B ................ No Change

Schoolcraft ............. D ........... Improved ..................................... **

Washtenaw ............ C ............ Improved ..................................... A ................ No Change

Wayne .................... D ........... Improved ..................................... C ................ Improved from D

*Not all counties have grades because not all counties have air pollution monitors.

**Data not collected on that particular pollutant in that county.

***Short term particle pollution grades. Annual particle pollution grades can be found with the entire report at www.stateoftheair.org.

All Michigan counties with data received a passing grade on annual particle pollution.

To see how your community ranks in "State of the Air 2017," to learn how to protect yourself and your family from air pollution, and to join the fight for healthy air, visit: www.StateOfTheAir.org.

Background

The American Lung Association "State of the Air 2017" report uses the most recent quality-assured air pollution data, collected by federal, state and local governments and tribes in 2013, 2014, and 2015. The data comes from official monitors for the two most widespread types of pollution, ozone and particle pollution. The report grades counties, ranking cities and counties based on scores calculated by average number of unhealthy days (for ozone and for short-term particle pollution) and by annual averages (for year-round particle pollution).