ESSINGTON, Pa. - Air quality in the Lehigh Valley is getting mixed reviews in the 22nd annual American Lung Association's State of the Air report released April 21.
The annual clean air report card from the Lung Association shows about 40% of the nation's population still lives in areas with high particle pollution and ozone.
Kevin Stewart, ALA director of environmental health, says just like a report card, the report looks at three subjects and gives three different grades.
“This year's report card is like that for the Lehigh Valley. You know, best ever results for year round particle pollution, but we do know that with the return of Lehigh Valley to be monitored for fine particle pollution as a short term measure, it had a worst grade and for ozone, We got better for Northampton County, a little bit better: Instead of an F, a D,” Stewart says.
When air pollution levels are high enough they can be a health hazard causing asthma attacks and strokes.
Poor air quality also places children, older adults, people living with chronic illness and those living in poverty at risk, he says. People can take small steps to reduce air pollution like not burning leaves or trash outdoors.
The full report State of the air report can be read online at Lung.org.
