The American Lung Association has released its annual “State of the Air” report and some Georgia cities are not smelling like roses, although there have been some improvements.
The report looks at annual and short-term particle pollution along with ozone. The report is based on data for the three years prior to forced changes as a result of COVID-19, especially in connection with pollutants from vehicle traffic.
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Atlanta got some good news. It is no longer in the top 25 of most polluted cities because of soot, but it received failing grades for both particle pollution and ozone pollution.
Air quality in Augusta suffers because of ozone and year-round particle pollution, but Jennifer Anderson, director of Respiratory Therapy at Augusta University said, “What causes the problem in Augusta would be difficult to change.” She said geography and nature are big factors in local air quality.
She said Augusta is in a river valley where there’s little air circulation. Add to that the hot, humid summers and high pollen levels, both factors in ozone levels and particle pollutants.
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Anderson, who was part of the Breathe Easy Augusta campaign to make the Garden City a smoke-free city, also helped the CDC when it studied Augusta’s air. She said that report found local industry was not a major factor. It, too, said geography has a hand in local air pollution.
Anderson said Augustans need to look around their personal environment to see what changes they can make. She said some useful changes can be electric cars, biking and walking or using mass transit rather than personal vehicles.
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Anderson said COVID-19 has helped make people aware how important their lungs are to overall health. The report said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has driven home to the world the preciousness of healthy lungs”. As the nation continues to respond to the pandemic, reducing air pollution is critical for respiratory health now and in the future.”
You can read the full report here: City Rankings | State of the Air | American Lung Association
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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