How did Mississippi counties do on the 2024 air pollution report? Find out here
When it comes to air quality, Jackson ranked 29th worst in the nation for a second consecutive year, according to the American Lung Association's 2024 "State of the Air" report.
Jackson's air pollution resulted in the city receiving a failing grade for the 2024 report, and the Jackson metro area's year-round particle pollution is the second worst in the Southeast, which is worse than the city fared in the 2023 report, which ranked Jackson 118th worst.
However, Jackson is among the nation's cleanest cities when it comes to ozone pollution rankings, which center on each county's average number of unhealthy days; Hinds County had 0 unhealthy days, earning an A rating.
That rating matches the A rating from the previous year's report.
The report
The annual State of the Air report measures air pollution in U.S. counties. This year's report, the 25th edition, utilized data from 2020-2022.
Two main factors of the report center on ozone pollution and particle pollution.
Ozone pollution, also known as "smog," affects the largest number of Americans per year compared to other air pollutants.
"Ozone is a powerful oxidant like household bleach," said Calandra Davis, director of advocacy for the American Lung Association. "It can kill living cells on contact. So, when we're exposed to these high ozone layers, depending on our overall health, we might experience different symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness."
Particle pollution refers to different solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air which can be harmful when inhaled.
Both ozone and particle pollution can lead to detrimental effects to the human body, including the development of asthma, heart attacks, strokes, impaired cognitive functioning late in life and preterm births.
Particle pollution can lead to lung cancer.
More than 131 million Americans — nearly four in 10 people — live in counties with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution.
In total 43.9 million Americans live in counties which received failing air pollution grades, according to recently updated standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Who is affected?
Historically, the State of the Air reports have found people of color are disproportionately affected by air pollution. Subsequently, communities of color are more vulnerable to chronic conditions including asthma, heart disease and diabetes.
This year's report showed similar findings; a person of color in the U.S. is more than twice as likely to live in a county with a failing air pollution grade.
These disparities most likely boil down to an imbalance of resources.
"Certain communities are having to play catch up, because they've already been left behind for numerous reasons," Davis said.
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More counties in Mississippi
The following results are based on particle pollution in each respective county from 2020-2022.
Counties in Mississippi that received a failing grade:
Hinds County
Forrest County
Harrison County
Counties in Mississippi that received a passing grade:
Bolivar County
DeSoto County
Hancock County
Jackson County
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What can you do?
Now that you have the facts, what can you do with the information?
Davis, born and reared in Mississippi, said the state still has a long way to go in order to get air pollution levels down.
Davis suggested several steps to take on the individual level. Those steps include walking, carpooling or biking to a destination instead of taking individual cars. Davis also suggested avoiding burning materials outdoors.
"All of these things don't just protect you," Davis said. "They help protect the neighbors the live next to you."
The largest changes can come at a structural level. Davis and others are calling on the EPA to create stronger national limits on ozone pollution.
Davis encouraged readers to consider signing a petition, found on the American Lung Association's website, supporting stricter limits across the nation.
Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Hinds, Forrest MS counties receive failing air pollution grade
