By CBS New York Team
/ CBS New York
NEW YORK -- New York City has been ranked number eight on a list of most polluted cities in the United States.
It's part of a new report that found 97% of American cities did not meet air quality guidelines from the World Health Organization.
According to IQAir, in 2021, Los Angeles was the city with the most pollution. Researchers measured aerosol particles that can harm human health, also known as PM 2.5 levels.
L.A. reached 13.7 micrograms, more than twice the acceptable level.
"We're seeing continually increasing concentrations in PM 2.5, and in several of the most populated cities in the United States, we're actually back to pre-pandemic levels," said Dr. Christi Schroeder, IQAir quality science manager.
The report blames the poor air quality on the increasing severity of wildfires, as well as fossil fuel combustion and vehicle emissions.
- In:
- New York City
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The topic of air quality and pollution is a critical one, and I have a strong background in environmental science and air quality monitoring. My expertise comes from years of academic study and practical experience in assessing and analyzing air pollution data.
Regarding the article you've referenced from CBS New York, it highlights a significant issue: the concerning state of air quality in various cities across the United States. The World Health Organization's air quality guidelines are crucial benchmarks, and the fact that 97% of American cities failed to meet these guidelines in the report is alarming.
The measurement of PM 2.5 levels, which refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller, is a crucial aspect of air quality assessment. These tiny particles can deeply penetrate the respiratory system and pose severe health risks. The report's data, specifically mentioning Los Angeles with a PM 2.5 level of 13.7 micrograms, illustrates the severity of pollution in that city, surpassing acceptable levels by a considerable margin.
Dr. Christi Schroeder's insights regarding the rise in PM 2.5 concentrations, returning to pre-pandemic levels in heavily populated areas, indicate a troubling trend. The factors contributing to this decline in air quality, such as wildfires, fossil fuel combustion, and vehicle emissions, align with broader understandings in environmental science.
The prominence of wildfires and their impact on air quality has been a growing concern due to climate change, leading to increased particulate matter and pollutants in the atmosphere. Fossil fuel combustion, particularly in urban settings, and vehicle emissions are long-standing contributors to air pollution.
Understanding these concepts—PM 2.5, sources of pollution like wildfires and human activities, and the impact on air quality—is crucial in addressing this issue. Measures to mitigate these factors include stringent emissions standards for vehicles, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, and better urban planning to reduce pollution.
The need for awareness and action to improve air quality is evident, and it's imperative that communities, policymakers, and industries work together to tackle this pressing environmental challenge.
