AAFA is proud to be a partner of the “Year of Air Pollution & Health.” Led by the American Lung Association, this campaign teaches the public about air pollution, climate change and health.

We are celebrating the progress we’ve made in reducing pollution in the air we breathe. We are also highlighting remaining obstacles to healthy air for all. Each month, the campaign will focus on different themes, such as how air pollution harms health, who is at risk, and ways to act to protect our communities and achieve healthy air for all.

January’s Year of Air Pollution & Health theme is “Why does healthy air matter to you?” This month we are focusing on how air pollution impacts the lives of people across the country. More than four in 10 Americans live in areas where air pollution levels threaten health. Thanks to the Clean Air Act, air quality in the United States has gotten much better over the past several decades.

But more must be done to reduce pollution and fight climate change to ensure healthy air for all. Air pollution is unhealthy for everyone, but very dangerous for:

• Children
• Older adults
• Pregnant women
• People with pre-existing health conditions like lung or heart disease
• People with asthma low-income communities
• Many communities of color
  
  

Air pollution takes a toll on the health and the lives of millions of Americans. Health harms from breathing air pollutants are numerous and widespread. Two of the most common pollutants – ozone and particle pollution – can cause asthma attacks, heart attacks, stroke, respiratory and cardiovascular harm and even early death. Particle pollution causes lung cancer. New research is linking air pollution to other risks, including reproductive harm and cognitive problems.

Climate change is making it harder to reduce air pollution. Longer and hotter heat waves add to ozone pollution (known as smog). Smoke from more frequent and intense wildfires produce harmful particle pollution that is linked to heart attacks, asthma attacks and premature death.

Why does healthy air matter to you and your family? Please take a moment to fill out this quick survey to share your view. Every voice matters: If you breathe air, we want to hear from you! Real stories make all the difference.