For more than 25 years, the American Lung Association’s “State of the Air” report has helped people across the country understand the quality of the air in their communities. Using data from a national network of official regulatory monitors, “State of the Air” reports on levels of ozone and particulate pollution in counties and metro areas. The “Something in the Air” reports build on that history of success by showcasing ways in which emerging technologies, such as satellites, can be used to enhance the air quality information available to all communities, from rural areas with no regulatory monitors to urban neighborhoods disproportionately exposed to roadway and industrial pollution.
Demonstrating how community-based monitoring uncovers local-level pollution gaps, uses data to inform and guide local decision-making, and strengthens cross-sector partnerships for cleaner air. This report examines six communities impacted by distinct pollution sources – wildfire smoke, heavy-duty traffic, and emissions from major industrial facilities and power plants – and their successful efforts to track this pollution locally.